The Governor, in his address to the State Assembly said that the anti-insurgency operations in the State were affected as the insurgents were getting shelter and support from the neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh and also staying in neighbouring states.

The Governor said that the State Government was determined and committed to root out militancy. While, the fight against insurgency would go on relentlessly, at the same time the need for a peaceful solution to the problem is also a significant part of the policy of the State Government, he said. The Governor said that the Government would welcome talks for a peaceful solution of the problem of insurgency at any time and at any place. However, he made it clear that the talks must be held within the framework of the Indian Constitution as the integrity of the country is not negotiable.

Lt. Gen. Sinha claimed that the Unified Command structure in the State has managed to contain the activities of the insurgents. He said that 178 militants were killed and 1490 apprehended in 1999. During the year, 177 civilians were killed as compared to 274 in 1997 and 386 in 1998, he revealed. He said that the Government was concerned about killings and kidnappings by the militants. Today the militants are on the run and in their desperation, they have started mindless attacks on the ministers and the members of their family. He said that the most unfortunate incident signifying the heightening desperation occurred on February 27 last when the PWD and Forest Minister Sri Nagen Sarma and four others were killed. However, the Governor expressed the hope that the people of the State would ultimately win the final round of battle against insurgency.

Lt. Gen. Sinha said that though the Government spent considerable time and energy in containing militancy, it had not lost sight of its commitment to implement the Assam Accord. He said that the Government had ample evidence to indicate that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan had made some inroads in the State and therefore it has become more important to contain the influx from across the border in the interest of the State and the country as a whole. He said that the State Government would never allow any outside agency to spread its net in the State.

The Governor further informed that the State Government placed before the Prime Minister issues like infrastructure development, financial problem and socio-political issues of the State during the meeting of the Governors and Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States. The State Government also apprised the Prime Minister about the need for implementing the gas cracker project and the Bogibeel bridge. "The conference ended with the declaration of an agenda for the socio-economic development of the NE states. But only a few of our demands could be accommodated in the agenda. We hope that our demands would receive favourable and early response from the Government of India," the Governor added.