India’s Central Govt Reviews Assam’s Security

By R Dutta Choudhury

Guwahati, Jan 29 : The Government of India will adopt a cautious approach in regards to talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) despite pressure from the Assam Government. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today reviewed the security scenario in the state in a high level meeting with the officials of the State Government.

Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune today that though the level of violence in Assam came down in recent times, the situation is still far from normal and the meeting held at New Delhi today reviewed the overall situation. Sources said that there have been some disturbing intelligence inputs about the situation in the bordering areas and though the DHD(J), commonly known as the Black Widow group, surrendered weapons, the situation in the hill district remains a matter of concern.

Sources said that recently the militants belonging to National Socialist Council of Nagalim NSCN-IM started issuing demand notes in the hill district. Even a newly posted Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer received a demand for Rs. 5 crore from the militants. As the NSCN (I-M) is under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India , the activities of the members of the group in NC Hills have become a matter of serious concern and it was one of the key points of discussions in today’s meeting.

The Government of India has taken serious note of snatching of weapons from the headquarter of an Assam Police battalion in Cachar in November and what was more dangerous is that the weapons were snatched by the members of a newly formed militant group United Tribal Liberation Army. Sources said that the activities of the newly formed militant outfit was one of the issues discussed.

In addition to these, the overall law and order situation was reviewed and the State Government was asked to make optimum utilization of the forces available as it might not be possible for the Centre to rush additional forces whenever required.

Meanwhile, on the issue of talks with the ULFA, sources said that the State Government was putting pressure on the Centre to explore the feasibility of starting the process of talks with the jailed leaders of the militant group. However, the Centre would adopt a cautious approach regarding talks. Sources said that the Government of India is examining whether holding of talks with only the jailed leaders would bring the desired results if one faction of the outfit remains outside the purview of talks.

Moreover, the Government of India would have to consider the international relations before taking any decision to release the jailed leaders of the ULFA including the chairman of the outfit, Arabinda Rajkhowa to facilitate talks.

“The Government of Bangladesh, after sustained pressure from India, adopted a tough stand against the militants taking shelter in that country and handed over senior ULFA leaders including the chairman of the outfit. If they are released immediately it may send wrong signals in the international community as India is still putting pressure on Bangladesh to take action against other militants holed up in that country. Moreover, India is also putting pressure on Myanmar to take action against the militants taking shelter in that country and if the arrested ULFA leaders are released immediately, it may send wrong signals,” sources added.

However, the Assam Government is still putting pressure on the Centre to start the process of talks with the ULFA and though the Centre is exploring the possibility, there is no chance of the Centre giving up the pre-conditions for talks. The Centre has already made it clear that the talks must be held within the framework of the constitution of India and the outfit would have to abjure violence.

via The Assam Tribune