Patil in NE
Situation in NE improving, says Home Minister
Reiterating that the Centre was willing to talk to insurgent groups of North East ''as and when they wanted to'', Home Minister Shivraj Patil said there was a marked improvement in the situation in the region.'' The situation in North East is improving and there is a drop of about 24 per cent in insurgency, killings and other such incidents, '' Mr Patil claimed on his return here from three North Eastern states of Assam, Tripura and Mizoram.

He said as many as 56 insurgents surrendered in Assam recently with a sense of realisation that sticking to guns would not help them in any way. ''The atmoshphere is changing and the Centre is also committed for development activities in the region,'' he said.

Mr Patil said the Centre was of a definite view that all insurgents were ''our brothers'' and resorted to other means due to certain reasons. ''We are ready and willing to talk to them,'' he asserted.

The Home Minister however refused to divulge the government's stand vis-a-vis ULFA, saying ''Let them agree for talks first as per their convenience.'' Mr Patil exuded satisfaction over his visit to North Eastern states during which he had meeting with the Chief Ministers of eight North-East states in Guwahati which mainly focussed on police modernisation, disaster management and tackling of insurgency problem in the region.Barring Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, all other Chief Ministers of the North-East, were present on the occasion to discuss the issues of the region.The meeting assumed importance following the recent spurt of violence in Assam as well as NSCN leader's meeting their own people, which concluded recently.

Mr Patil said that the Centre would give top priority to disaster management, internal security as well as econcomic development activities besides police modernisation. The setting up of electronics, IT and Genetics Institutes would be ''just about the right steps'' towards expedition of the development activities in the NE region, he said. Disaster management policy on the cards The Government is planning to table a bill aimed at framing a comprehensive disaster management policy in the coming Budget Session, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said. While addressing a meeting of the Chief Ministers of North-Eastern states, Mr Patil said the bill would deal with matters like creation of a national emergency and disaster management authority as well as similar bodies at the state and district levels all over the country.There will be proposal to create a corpus to fund for these authorities he said adding that the state government will be asked to bear the expenditure of the state-level authorities.

The Home Minister also said there was growing consensus all over the country for keeping a disaster management strategy ready to tackle emergency situations, which in turn calls for a comprehensive policy.

Patil offers unified command for North-East

The Union Home Ministry offered unified command structures to the Northeast for greater control of insurgency, but allowed the states the option to choose.

Addressing a press conference following the North-East Chief Ministers' meet, Union Home Minister Sivraj Patil said the unified command strcture should do well for the states.''We have opted for it in Kashmir, Assam and Manipur and we would like to extend it to the other states. However, as law and order is a state subject, they would decide whether they need that or not,'' he said, admitting that there would be hurdles towards that.Under the unified command, the Army, the para-military forces and the police forces are brought under a single command for effective counter-insurgency operations.The Home Minister was, however, categorical that the situation in the Northeast has improved by at least 20 per cent.

About the contentious issue of the territorial integrity of the North-Eastern states in the backdrop of the NSCN starting its negotations with the Centre, Mr Patil said the government was committed towards safeguarding the territorial integrity of the NE states and everybody should understand the complexity of the issue. ''We will not do anything that will cause harm to the people of the region and this should be understood and appreciated by all,'' he said. The NSCN has been insisting that all the Naga-inhabited areas in Assam and Manipur should be included in ''Nagalim''.

Patil assures NE states of central help

Calling for a thrust on internal security and development, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil assured the north-eastern states of a generous central help.Addressing the conference of Chief Ministers of north-eastern states, he urged them to go for modernisation of state police forces to fight insurgency and said the Centre would extend all support.

The conference had a detailed discussion on modernisation of the state police to counter insurgency and ensure internal security. ''I have said the Centre would give all possible help in this regard,'' the union minister told reporters after the four-and-a-half-hour long meeting.The conference reviewed the security situation and the progress of implementation of projects under non-lapsable central pool of resources. It discussed the need for carrying out a dual approach of anti-insurgency measures and executing development schemes.Barring Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, chief ministers of all other seven member states of North Eastern Council, besides, Department of North Eastern Region Minister P R Kyndiah were present.

Mr Patil, who was here on the last leg of his visit to three north-eastern states, said he had urged the NEC to build up a disaster management authority on the line of the proposed body to be set up by the Centre.''North-East is an earthquake-prone zone. Setting up of such an authority would go a long way in mitigating the losses in the event of disasters,'' he observed.

The conference also discussed different development projects for which the Centre was committed to provide funds to the NEC, Mr Patil said.The other issues which came up for discussion were fencing of the Indo-Bangla border, border area development programmes and security related expenditure reimbursement schemes.

Patil assures Assam to gear up vigil to stop infiltration

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil assured Assam of all possible help in respect of erecting border fencing and gearing up vigil along the Indo-Bangla border in the state to stop infiltration. Mr Patil asked the state government to submit a detailed proposal seeking necessary assistance from the Centre to streamline patrolling along the riverine border with Bangladesh.

Reviewing the implementation of the clauses of Assam Accord in a meeting with the officials, Mr Patil issued instructions for putting up high-quality fencing along the border.He also stressed on the need to preserve the ancient monuments of Assam in tune with relevant clause of the Accord, which was signed in 1985 in the wake of the anti- foreigners agitation in the state.The meeting to review implementation of the Assam Accord took place despite All Assam Students Union's (AASU) decision to boycott it in protest against absence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Patil also took stock of implementation of the Accord from the Assam government and the Home Ministry officials in presence of Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh and Asam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

India concerned over Nepal development: Patil

India expressed concern over the developments in Nepal where King Gyanendra dismissed the seven-month-old Sher Bahadur Deuba government, saying it had failedto hold elections or restore peace with the Maoist rebels.Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said, ''As a sovereign country we would not like to interfere in the internal affairs of another sovereign country. But having said that we also would like to see that democracy prevails in Nepal.''

''We are deeply concerned and closely monitoring the developemt,'' Mr Patil said. Mr. Patil also reviews anti-terror operations and border management in NE Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil held a series of meetings in Agartala to review counter-insurgency operations, border management and ethnic problems in the North-East,in his third visit to the region after assuming office. Accompanied by Ministers of State R Regupathy and Sriprakash Jaiswal, the Home Minister held talks with Tripura Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahaya, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, MPs from the state and top civil and security officials, who apprised him about the steps taken to counter insurgency and the state's requirements and demands. Tripura government had requested the Minister to step up the ongoing fencing of the 856 km India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, deployment of the India Reserve battalions of the Tripura State Rifles (TSR), providing more para-military forces and more funds for modernisation of the state's security force. Apart from the Ministers of State, others who accompanied Mr Patil on the tour included top Home Ministry officials and Directors General of Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force. The Home Minister visited the border outposts at Lanka Mora and Akhaura on the outskirts of Agartala.

At Lanka Mora, he congratulated the jawans for the commendable job they were doing for protecting the country's border and assured them of all possible government help in meeting their requirements in terms of weaponry and facilities. In a rare gesture, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel accorded a guard of honour to Mr Patil when he visited their camp near the Akhaura outpost. Mr Patil and BDR Comilla sector Commander exchanged gifts as a mark of goodwill and friendship.

Hopeful response from Bangladesh on checking militancy: Patil

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said India had received a positive response from Bangladesh over curbing militant activities from that country and hoped that the issue would be resolved through further discussions between the two sides.

''There have been some positive steps by Bangladesh in this regard. The Home Secretary, after his talks in Bangladesh, has given me a report. However, there are certain areas which require more attention,'' he said. The Home Minister expressed optimism that the talks between India and Bangladesh would be fruitful after the issue is discussed at the next SAARC summit to be held in Dhaka.

He said after the Secretary level talks between the two countries, the issue was to have been taken up by the Prime Ministers of both the nations at the SAARC summit, which had been postponed following the tsunami disaster. ''But we have already created a mechanism in which both the sides would talk to each other and exchange information regularly on the problem of militancy,'' he said. Describing terrorism as a ''double-edged weapon'', Mr Patil said such activities would pose problems also to Bangladesh in the future. ''Terrorism is a problem also for our neighbour. We hope this realisation will dawn upon Dhaka to produce better results. This problem has to be tackled by both of us.'' Expressing concern over the long, porous India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, Mr Patil said the fencing of the entire stretch would be completed as early as possible. ''We plan to carry on the task without creating any dispute. To make it more effective, we will go for modificatioin, if necessary, in the way we carried out the project earlier,'' he said. He said he had a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister on the issues and other problems and exchanged ideas. ''The Chief Minister has made some very good suggestions. We will see how we can implement them,'' he said. Denying that border fencing would sour India's relations with Bangladesh, the Home Minister said the border problem was a concern for both India and its neighbour, as it had a cascading effect on both sides. ''I do not see any reason why Bangladesh should be unhappy if it is solved.'' The Home Minister said he had discussed with Mr Sarkar, a wide range of other issues, including disaster management and utilisation of genetic wealth.

Mizoram seeks more Central force to check insurgency

Mizoram requested Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for additional Central para-military forces to checkinfiltration of insurgents from neighbouring states, which has been a cause of concern for the state government.

During a meeting with the Mr Patil, Chief Minister Zoramthanga also called for raising one more battalion of state police. He said better road connectivity was needed for security in areas bordering Myanmar, which was now a safe passage for Indian insurgents wanting to take shelter in the neighboring country. Mr Zoramthanga specifically mentioned Hnahlan KawngKhuangphah, Dungtlang Kawng and Farkawn villages on the Indo-Myanmar border, and said improvement of border roads would also promote trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh, giving a boost to local economy. The high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan was attended, among others, by Home Minister Tawnluia, Chief Secretary H V Lalringa and high officials of Assam Rifles and Border Security Force. The Chief Secretary stressed the need for removal of the Assam Rifles headquarters from the heart of the city to the outskirts, to enable the government to undertake development projects. The government officials also made a presentation to Mr Patil on the measures taken by the state government to control bamboo flowering, that causes famine in this region. During the meeting, the Union Home Minister made an on-the-spot sanction of a Central assistance of Rs 28 crore for the state for several development projects and Rs 3.11 crore for the Mizo National Front(MNF) returnees for their rehabilitation.

The Union Home Minister also met Governor A R Kohli, followed by a separate meeting with the Chief Minister, the Home Minister and high government officials and top brass of Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force at the Raj Bhavan. He also interacted with Mara Autonomous District Council's Chief Executive members. The Union Home Minister also made an aerial survey of the state's border areas with Myanmar.

Solution of refugee problems will expedite development: CM

The Chakma-Hajong refugees should be deported immediately from Arunachal Pradesh and the Assam-Arunachal boundary dispute solved to create a conducive atmosphere for speedy development of the state, informed Chief Minister Gegong Apang. These demands were placed at the North Eastern Chief Ministers' conference held at Guwahati, which was addressed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil

Internal security and favourable law and order situation were the prerequisites for development, he said, adding while the refugee imbroglio was agitating the minds of the people for the last few decades, the boundary dispute was proving an obstacle to speedy development.An amicable and permanent solution to the boundary dispute would help channelise the energy of the people for development activities, he observed. It may be recalled here that Assam Finance Minister Hemanta Bishwa Sarma had held a discussion with Mr Apang here recently and resolved to settle the contentious issue through mutual understanding. Asked about the massive encroachment problem of government lands in the Capital Complex, particularly the land earmarked for secretariat complex, Mr Apang regretted over such state of affairs.

The chief minister also lauded the central government particularly the union rural development ministry for its financial support to construct the SIRD building, which he hoped would serve as a catalyst to transform the rural economy of this tribal state. Appreciating the objectives of SIRD, including conducting capacity building training for functionaries, undertaking research projects, organising conferences, seminars and workshops and assisting government in policy formulation, Mr Apang said the institution should play a pivotal role involving the masses to bring about development. ''Our tribal society has hardly changed. We are today, what we were 50 years ago'', he lamented and urged the SIRD for a radical change through research. A low cost housing scheme using local materials could be suggested by the officials, he said adding, providing CGI sheets by the politicians was not a realistic solution.The state has vast potential in the field of agriculture and horticulture, which could be brought into reality through 'lab to land' principle, Mr Apang advocated.

  Earlier, rural development secretary T Darang highlighted the growth of SIRD set up in 1994 and its various achievements. The building was constructed in an estimated cost of Rs. 1.2 crore, he said adding, the Centre had released Rs. 47 lakh of the total Rs. 95 lakh sanctioned for conducting orientation programmes for the panchayati raj members from zila parishad to gram panchayat level.

SIRD director H K Bhattacharjee in his address assured the chief minister to incorporate his suggestions and advises to the institute's programme.

|  Headlines  |  Editorial   | From Other Publications  |
|  Travel Column   |   News Briefs  |
| OT Main Page | Nena  Home Page  |