Security situation in NE 'complex': PM
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

New Delhi, June 05 2013: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today described the security situation in the Northeast as "complex" since insurgency, extortion and agitations continue to exist in the region.

"The security situation in the northeast continues to be complex, with insurgency, extortion and agitations being the main disruptive elements in the hands of the insurgents," he said in his address at the conference of Chief Ministers on internal security.

Singh, however, said there has been considerable progress in dialogue with several insurgent and ethnic separatist groups in the northeastern region.

"A memorandum of understanding has been signed with both factions of Dima Halam Daogah of Dima Hasao in Assam.

Three Metei insurgent groups have signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2013.Talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland are continuing," he said.

The Prime Minister said the central government was committed to undertaking and bringing to a satisfactory conclusion dialogue with all groups and organisations which are willing to give up violence to seek solutions within the framework of our Constitution.

"We are equally firm in our determination to continue assisting the states of the northeast to enhance their law and order enforcement capabilities, so that the people of the northeast enjoy the normal fruits of democracy and development," he said.

Singh said the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has been set up as an autonomous body in August 2012 to administer the Gorkhaland region and ensure its all-round development.

"The Centre is committed to providing financial assistance of Rs 200 crore per annum for three years for projects aimed at developing the socio-economic infrastructure in the GTA areas," he said.

In his address, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Suspension of Operations Agreements have been entered with various insurgent groups in the Northeast and these groups have shown willingness to give up violence and seek solutions for their problems peacefully within the Constitution.

"Our government is ready to talk with any group or outfit which is willing to abjure violence and lay down arms like Kuki National Organisation and United Peoples Front in Manipur.

Further, Metei groups like URF, KCP and KYKL along with their factions, signed MoS in February, 2013 paving way for surrender of their cadres," he said.

Shinde said peace talks are also being held with a number of outfits like ULFA, NDFB(P) and NDFB(RD).

These strategies have resulted in steady reduction in the level of violence.

"Moreover, the aforesaid strategy of the government has also encouraged surrender by militants belonging to various groups and their participation in the political process.

"The central government is continuously assisting the northeastern states by the deployment of central paramilitary forces to assist the state police in counter-insurgency operations and upgrading their skill level.

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