New Delhi, August 17 2009: Asking North Eastern states to develop a proactive police force rather than relying on Central security forces, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said the situation in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland remains "problematic and worrisome".

"There is need in the Northeast for more emphasis on pro-active state police forces rather than exclusive reliance on Central paramilitary forces and Army.

The resources for policing need to be enhanced substantially," Singh said.

In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister said , "Manipur is plagued by a large number of militant outfits.

The Government of Manipur needs to put in place appropriate mechanisms for increased participation of people in developmental projects".

He said Assam and Manipur account for "disproportionately" large number of violent incidents reported from the area with the latter's share being as high as 30 per cent.

"Manipur has increased the number of sanctioned posts at the police station level but a large number of them remain unfilled," the Prime Minister said addressing the Chief Ministers' Conference on internal security here.

Singh said all the states in the Northeast would do well to ensure transparency in the recruitment of police and ensure representation of all groups and communities in the force.

He asked the north eastern states to pay attention to implementation of infrastructure projects.

Singh said Rs 750 crore have been sanctioned to Assam for development of Bodo areas but utilisation of these funds was unsatisfactory and was concerned over delay in resettlement and rehabilitation of those hit by Bodo violence.

The Union Home Minister Shri P Chidambaram in his opening remarks said that the three challenges to internal security: were firstly, terrorism; secondly, insurgency in the North Eastern States; and thirdly, Left wing extremism or naxalism.

He further said, "We have one instrument to confront and defeat the three challenges, and that is the police.

In the final analysis, it is the policeman and the policewoman who will help us win these battles".

Referring to insurgency, the Minister said that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir had shown perceptible improvement.

Militancy had declined, even while agitational politics was on the rise.

The Central Government had offered every support to the new State Government to maintain law and order, focus on development, and find political solutions through dialogue.

He pointed out, "In the North East, insurgency remains a grave threat.

In the last few months we have refined our policy stance: the law will be applied strictly; ceasefire agreements will be enforced in letter and spirit; and we will talk to any group only if that group abjures violence, lays down its arms and offers to surrender.

He regretted to say that he could not report much progress in the North Eastern States.

He underlined, "At times, we find that some State Governments have allowed themselves to bend before insurgent groups, making the fight against insurgency that much more difficult.

I propose to hold discussions with the State Governments concerned and draw up State-specific strategies to deal with the insurgent groups in the three most affected States of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur".

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