The person, who has been entrusted with the job of bringing back the days of glory to Tripura, is the Chief Minister of the State, Manik Sarkar. Young and energetic,Mr. Sarkar had no administrative experience before becoming the Chief Minister,but

many believe that in the present context, he is the best bet to restore normalcy in the State.

What does the man think about the job at his hand? Is he confident enough to handle extremism in the State? What has been his achievements so far? What are his future plans? To know the answers of all these questions, North East News Agency recently met the Tripura Chief Minister in Delhi.
Excerpts of the interview:

North East News Agency: What about the present situation in Tripura?

Manik Sarkar: It is improving. We are fighting hard to tackle the menace of insurgency in the State. We can't allow the underground forces to unleash a reign of terror in the State. It is our endeavour to restore the past glory of Tripura as the most peaceful State in the North-East region.
As a matter of fact, for us the developments of the last three months are very encouraging. We have been able to corner the extremists to some extent. There were lesser number of ambushes in the last three months. The extremists are no longer being able to attack soft targets. The number of killings and kidnappings have come down. People, overcoming the fear of guns, have started cooperating with the administration. All these developments are encouraging. But still there is no place for complacency as there is a long way to go to bring back total normalcy in the State.

NENA: In a recent statement, you expressed the apprehensions that violence might grip the State again as the Centre had withdrawn a few battalions of paramilitary forces from the State in wake of Kargil conflict.

Manik Sarkar: Yes, I am apprehensive that the insurgents may step up their activities after the withdrawal of the security forces in large number from the State. The situation will definitely encourage to launch a fresh offensive in Tripura as they know very well that due to the shortage of security personnel, security in the State will not be so tight as it used to be. The possibilities of fresh extremist attacks is really worrying me at present.

NENA: What are the precautions you are taking to avoid such an eventuality?

Manik Sarkar: I met Union Home Minister L. K. Advani and appraised him about the situation prevailing in the State. He assured me that the Centre would take every possible step to control the menace of extremism. Let's see, how the Union Home Ministry reacts to the situation.

NENA: Why is the battle against the extremists so tough in Tripura?

Manik Sarkar: There are many reasons for that. Our job in Tripura is not easy as the insurgents are getting help from ouside agencies like the ISI of Pakistan, CIA and many more. Besides, whenever we launch any offensive against the undergrounds, they take shelter in Bangladesh. They do the same thing after commiting heinous crimes. Thus it has become very difficult for us to nab them. We have told the Centre on many occasions to take up the matter with the Bangladesh authorities. But so far, there is no qualitative change in the situation. The extremists are still finding safe havens in Bangladesh.

One thing I want to make clear here that restoring normalcy in Tripura is not our job only. Entire nation is suffering for this problem. People often blame us for failing to control the situation. In fact, we need the support of the entire nation to get rid of the present situation. Blaming us will not serve any purpose. Moreover, we are not in a position to combat the forces who are enjoying the backing of foreign agencies. The entire nation will have to be united to confront this menace.

NENA: It seems that you are in favour of declaring the insurgency problem in the North-East as a national problem. A demand which former chief minister of Manipur Rishang Keishing has been making for a long time.

Manik Sarkar: I do not understand what you are saying. It is a national problem. When we have to fight against the outside forces or foreign agencies, it automatically becomes a national issue. Then it just does not remain as a problem of a particular State or region. It becomes the duty of the Centre then to take the lead to fight this forces.

NENA: Has the Centre succeeded in this role? What is your opinion?

Manik Sarkar: Let us not discuss such issues at length. As I have already told you blaming someone would never take us anywhere near the solution. All I can say that the Centre should take the lead and the State Government should contribute its might in its endeavour. Just take an example ---- apart from active patronage of the foreign agencies, another factor which is responsible for insurgency menace in the North-East region is underdevelopment. Now, as the State Government can play a very limited role in this regard, the Centre would have to come forward to ensure speedy all round development of the region.

NENA: You are putting the blame on the outside forces and underdevelopment for the rise of insurgency in Tripura. But the fact remains that the Congress and other opposition parties like TNV and TUJS have always blamed the CPM for the present situation in the State. On many occasions, these parties levelled allegations against your party for aiding and abetting the insurgents. What have you to say in this regard?

Manik Sarkar: These are all false and baseless allegations. My party at no time helped the insurgents. It were the parties you named who always helped the ultras. But as many people outside Tripura are not aware about ground realities in the State, the leaders of these parties made it a habit of making such allegations whenever they visit Delhi or any other State in the country. Quite interestingly, they never make such allegations in Tripura as the people will call their bluffs easily.
If you take a close look at the Tripura situation, you will find that my party has suffered maximum loss due to the ongoing insurgency. Our leaders were killed. Our cadres and supporters were either killed or kidnapped. Many of our supporters have to fled their homes for fear of lives.
Next time, when the leaders of the opposition parties will allege the same, you kindly ask them what loss they have suffered due to insurgency? How many of their leaders lost their lives in the hands of the insurgents? How many of their workers and supporters have become homeless?
Ask them who were the creators of NLFT? Were they not the same people who surrendered with TNV leader Vijay Hrangkhal. Which party arranged the surrender of the TNV? It is strange that despite knowing that we suffered the most in the hands of the insurgents, these people do not hesitate to level all sorts of baseless allegations against us.

NENA: You cited underdevelopment as one of the main causes for the rise of insurgency in Tripura. What are the steps your Government took to ensure development in the State?

Manik Sarkar: As I told you earlier our power is limited. The Centre will have to come forward to ensure development. Yet with limited power, we have taken some significant steps like introduction of an development package for the over-all development of the State. We have send the details of the package to the Centre. Let's see, how it responds.

NENA: Are you waiting for the Centre's nod to implement the package?

Manik Sarkar: Not really. We have informed the Centre what we intend to do. Whether it will support us in our endeavour or not, it is for the Centre to decide. If the Centre comes forward, well and good. But if it decides otherwise, I can assure you that even with our limited power we will implement the package.

NENA: Don't you foresee any resistance from the ultras in the process of implementing the package?

Manik Sarkar: That we are facing even now. In some parts of the State where road widening works are going on, the ultras came and threatened that the width of the road should not be more than three feet, so that the police vehicle cannot enter the area. We are facing all sorts of hardships. But we are confident enough to overcome all these difficulties.

NENA: Many say that close bilateral ties with Bangladesh may play an important role in the development of Tripura. What is your opinion?

Manik Sarkar: There is no doubt about that. Bangladesh can play a very significant role in this regard. If India can enjoy good bilateral relation with Bangladesh, the entire scenario will be changed. Both India and Bangladesh will be tremendously benefitted. It will be a boon to both the countries.

NENA: Do you think that Calcutta-Dhaka bus service is a step in the right direction?

Manik Sarkar: Definitely, it's a correct step. No doubt about that. But it would be better if we can introduce a bus service between Agartala-Dhaka-Calcutta. The extended bus route could play a more important role in the development of the two countries.I am saying this because due to its geographical location, Tripura can become the 'gateway' to the South-East Asia. It can be the hub centre of economic activities in the entire region. What is needed is proper planning and vision.
NENA: Have you taken up the matter with the people concerned?

Manik Sarkar: The issue has been discussed many a time at various levels. I hope all the barriers to have a meaningful tie with Bangladesh will be removed soon.

NENA: Notwithstanding the recent unrest in the State, as per the statistics, the number of foreign tourists has increased in Tripura.

Manik Sarkar: Yes, this is a very positive sign. This clearly proves my contention that the State can be the gateway to South-East Asia. It also proves that our effort of bringing back normalcy in the State has started yielding results.

NENA: What are the achievements of the Left Front Government?

Manik Sarkar: The greatest achievement of the Left Front is that we have kept Tripura united. Many efforts were made to divide the State on ethnic lines. Not only my Government, but also the previous Left Front governments firmly stood against such designs.

NENA: How do you foresse the future of Tripura?

Manik Sarkar: The future is good. There is nothing to worry about it. The recent unrest in the State is a temporary phenomenon. We will be able to get rid of the menace of insurgency soon. The people of Tripura have now realised the gameplan of the ultras. Besides, whatever steps we have taken have started yielding results. Soon the situation will be changed.