Guwahati : NEPOL, a communication network for the state police forces in the North East has been
proposed before the two-day conference of the police chief of the region fir enhancing inter-state
coordination to tackle common challenges like insurgency and cross-border crimes.
The Intelligence Bureau –organised two-day conference of the DGPs of the N-E states which ended here
on Friday, deliberated in detail various aspects of insurgency afflicting parts of North East, issues
related to inter-state co-ordination between police forces of North Eastern states.
The Assam Police presented the concept of NEPOL, a communication network for police forces in the
region. The issues concerning long international borders surrounding the region and the cross border
sanctuaries for insurgent groups were seen as key factors sustaining insurgency in the region.
Besides, issues related to improving quality of policing and investigation like establishment of
Forensic Science Laboratories, induction of new technology and challenges of cyber security and social
media also deliberated upon, the DGP of Assam Police informed.
Addressing the valedictory function of the conference, Governor of Assam , Banwarilal Purohit while
lauding improving security scenario in the region reminded the state police forces about outstanding
issues related to identity and ethnicity in the region.
Purohit said ‘Such conference of state police forces in the region needs to be held frequently to
counter structural constraints in effective management of the security situation.’
He pointed out that said that Northeastern region had diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious groups
with a wide spectrum of aspirations, ranging from separate administrative areas to even sovereignty.
“The region shares 5484 Kilometers long international borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan
and China. Much of the area near the international border has remained geographically isolated and
remote with trans-border movement,” the Governor said.
He also said that perceived sense of alienation due to connectivity problems, lopsided development,
apprehension regarding protection of ethnic identity in the face of large scale illegal migration etc.,
have fuelled growth of a number of ethnic militants. “The long and porous borders coupled with evil
designs of forces inimical to the country have helped the insurgents to create safe heavens across
the international border,” the Governor added.
“Though counter insurgency operations have remained the primary focus of the security forces in the
region, with the gradual improvement in the situation, there is a need to focus on conventional
policing and crime management. The police forces are facing the daunting task of not only tackling
militancy but also challenge of earning public goodwill through effective control crimes, students
and agrarian unrest and a variety of other issues,” Purohit said.
(EoM)
