Seminar studies NE security paradigm
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 05 2019: A seminar on 'Changing security paradigm in North East- Implications and Imperatives' was inaugurated today by Governor Dr Najma Heptulla at City Convention Centre here.

The seminar was organised by Assam Rifles under the aegis of Hqs Director General, Assam Rifles and CENERS-K, a Kolkata based think tank.

Speaking at the inaugural function as chief guest, the Governor said that the theme of the seminar is appropriate considering regular reports on incidents disturbing social harmony and peace even on trivial matters or disputes and violence.

Seminar studies NE security paradigm

Loot, extortion, arson, destruction of properties, subversive activities committed by various unknown miscreants and loss of human lives are well-known consequences of such happenings.

North East India is known for its biological and cultural diversity and the unique Brahmaputra and Barak river system.

It is gratifying to know that the aim of the seminar is to undertake critical analysis of changing security paradigm in North East India, identify implications and imperatives and establish a vision for overall growth and development of the region, she said.

Assam Rifles has been serving the people of North East for the last many decades and hope that they will keep serving the people to achieve the goal, she said.

The Governor also stated that the trends and statistics of the last decade clearly illustrate that the armed insurgency around the entire region of North East has been gradually waning.

Till a few years back, insurgency used to be the core theme of the security policy.

There is more liberal approach to security with greater focus on peace, development and cooperative security with an aim to achieve stability at regional, National as well as global levels.

The State of Manipur has been enduring the ill effects of insurgency, which is disrupting the social harmony of the State and is also having an adverse impact on the economic development of the State, she said.

Mounting unemployment, economic backwardness and related issues apart from law and order problems also have the potential to affect the internal security of the State.

The State continues to be one of the most troublesome States in the North-East due to all these problems, Dr Najma remarked.

The insurgent/extremist organizations both of the hills and the valley, continue their subversive activities, though not on large scale, including ambushes/attacks on police and other security forces as their main targets.

In recent times, there has been a noticeable change in the insurgent movement, shifting away from the ideology of insurgency and instead indulging in violence, planting of bombs/IEDs at strategic locations targeting innocent civilians and residences, extortion of money from officials, commercial establishments and vehicles plying on the National Highways, etc.

The Governor further stated that there has been significant improvement in the security environment of the State, specially in the valley areas due to the well-directed counter-insurgency measures which ensure effective tackling of the various threats.

The initiatives taken to combat the law and order and insurgency problems have shown a fairly positive outcome, she said.

The pivotal role played by the Assam Rifles to effectively contain the subversive and violent acts of various UG outfits at the long porous international border of 398 kms with Myanmar deserves appreciation by one and all.

This coupled with the proximity to the Golden Triangle (Laos, Myanmar and Thailand) and the backyard market of illegal arms and ammunition of East Asian countries makes this border highly vulnerable to smuggling of contraband drugs, arms and ammunition and trans-border crossing by criminals, militants and insurgents, added the Governor.

Till date, the overall security scenario remains a matter of concern as some sections of the population continue to remain under threat from UG groups operating in the State.

Continuous counter-insurgency operations need to be conducted in a concerted manner by the security forces, she said.

It is a matter of great satisfaction to know that the changing security scenario in North East is attributed to sustained and coordinated efforts of the security forces on ground and the policies of the Government, added Dr Najma.

The security policy should now ideally transition from combating active insurgency to combating the after effects of insurgency.

She expressed her confidence that during the seminar all the eminent personalities from both Army and Assam Rifles will certainly explore the ways and means to eliminate these evils forever to bring a peaceful and prosperous North-East India.

In the inaugural session, Director General, Assam Rifles Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan gave the welcome address while GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen Rajeev Sirohi gave the opening remark.

Lt Gen Rajeev Sirohi highlighted the changing scenario in North East India with its pervasive imperatives and relevant implications which act as a catalyst in the overall development of the region, said Assam Rifles PRO in a statement.

Eminent persons and experts who addressed the seminar included Dr Inder Jit Singh, Secretary DoNER, Ms Vasudha Gupta, Director General PIB and Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Director General, Infantry.

The notable veterans who also spoke included Mr KC Verma, Former IB & RAW Secy, Lt Gen AK Sahni, Lt Gen KJ Singh, Lt Gen JR Mukherjee, Lt Gen KH Singh and Maj Gen Arun Roye.

Attendees at the seminar included the top brass of Manipur Civil and Police, Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, faculty and students of Manipur University and colleges, cadets from NCC Manipur and media persons.

Concluding the seminar proceedings, Lt Gen Sukhdeep Sangwan, DG of Assam Rifles thanked and congratulated the IG AR (South) for organizing the seminar to deliberate on issues of vital concern for the North East as well as the cross-section of citizens of Manipur.

He urged all stakeholders in the inclusive growth of Manipur to deliberate on the innovative and pragmatic views expressed during the seminar for a way forward for sustained peace and development of Manipur.

The seminar had two sessions on different themes like North East Region Security Environment & Challenges, and Act East Policy 2.0 and Border Management.