Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi on Monday requested the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to set up a counter-insurgency coordination mechanism involving the police forces of all the North- eastern states and diplomatic coordination with all the neighbouring countries at a diplomatic level to tackle the problems of insurgency and militancy.
During his first meeting with the Prime Minister, Gogoi apprised the latter about Maoists (Left Wing Extremism) striking roots in some areas of Assam. Gogoi requested Modi for inclusion of at least two districts namely Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, within the ambit of the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) to combat LWE.
“Of late, the trend of Left Wing Extremists seeking to join hands with militants and insurgents has become noticeable. We would urge a comprehensive and coordinated strategy between the Central and State Governments to help nip this growing nexus of extremists in the bud,” Gogoi told Modi.
He called for the Centre’s help for augmentation of the strength and capacity of the state police forces to deal with the emerging challenges and renewed request for assistance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for raising India Reserve (IR) battalions in Assam.
Gogoi further apprised the PM of the need to formulate development strategy for Assam with focus on the border areas that have been considered breeding grounds for insurgency due to backwardness.
“The problem of militancy is a reflection of the lack of development that continues to affect the state. However, to ensure sustained development, there needs to be increased emphasis on infrastructure and employment generation. In addition, there has to be a much greater focus on the border areas development, on account of their remoteness and isolation. In this way, we believe, people would themselves become part of the fight against militants,” Gogoi informed Modi.
