Violence in Northeast Has Gone Down: Chidambaram

Itanagar, Apr 4 : Home Minister P Chidambaram on Friday told NDTV that violence in the Northeast has gone down. He said that talks are on with rebel groups, and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) may join talks.

However, Chidambaram emphasised that splinter groups in Northeast will be dealt with firmly. The Home Minister reiterated the point that Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of India. PTI adds: Mr Chidambaram is in Itanagar to review the security situation in the state amid speculation that Myanmar may launch an operation against Northeast militants having bases there, officials said.

The Home Minister, who is on a two-day visit of the state, will hold a high level meeting with the Army and security agencies. He is also scheduled to visit Khonsha, headquarters of Tirap, a district declared disturbed along with adjoining Changlang, under the Armed Forces Special Power Act because of activities of militants from neighboring Nagaland and Assam.

The militants use the forests in the two districts sharing border with Myanmar as corridor to their bases across the international border. After being driven out from Bhutan and Bangladesh, the militants have reportedly taken refuge in camps in Myanmar. Union Home Secretary G K Pillai had visited Naypyidaw, the new Myanmarese capital, in January.