GUWAHATI, Feb 20 — If any organisation or individual comes forward to mediate with the militants to bring them to the negotiation table, the State Government will extend all possible help and cooperation, said the Chief Minister, Sri Tarun Gogoi. Talking to The Assam Tribune, the Chief Minister said that the State Government, on its part, is not interested in directly engaging any organisation on individual to mediate with the militants as the militants might doubt the credibility of any Government sponsored organisation or individual. He admitted that non-Government organisations played a vital role in bringing the militants to the negotiation table in Nagaland and ‘we would welcome any organisation that comes forward to bring the militants of Assam to the negotiation table for a solution to the problem of insurgency. From our side, the State Government will extend all possible help and facilities to any organisation or individual who is ready to mediate with the militants.
Sri Gogoi said that the State Government’s, on its own, has been making efforts to bring the militants to the negotiation table for a political solution of the problem. However, he admitted that the State Government attempts failed to yield the desired results so far. At the same time, he pointed out that talks with the militants must be held with the Government of India and the State Government is of the view that the Central Government should hold talks with the militants of Assam by using the methods used for talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M). On the activities of the militant outfits, Sri Gogoi said that it would be difficult to contain violence till the militants have their bases in the neighbouring country Bhutan. He said that the Government of India should immediately put pressure on the Bhutan Government to evict the camps of the militant outfits from the territory of the neighbouring country. He also revealed that till date, the Centre has not taken any decision on the State Government’s demand for erection of fencing along the Assam-Bhutan border to check free movement of militants.
The Chief Minister is of the view that there should be greater coordination between the State Governments of the North-East States as the militants have set up bases in the neighbouring States. “At this moment the State Government is in touch with the Governments of the North-Eastern States and West Bengal on security related issues. However, there should be greater coordination among the neighbouring States and the issue was also discussed in the last meeting of the North-East Chief Minister,” he added. Sri Gogoi said that the though the Assam Police is a ‘capable force’, it is not possible to think of withdrawing the Army at this moment as the forces does not have adequate manpower or weaponry to deal with insurgency. However, he said that steps have been initiated to modernise the police force with sophisticated weapons, better training facilities etc. The Central Government has also provided some funds for modernising the force. The State Government has already formed a Police Reforms Commission and steps would be taken to reorganise the police force as per the recommendations of the Commission, he added. The Chief Minister also lamented the fact that the Centre has failed to provide adequate para-military forces to Assam. He said that as per the assessment of the Central Government, Assam requires at least 180 companies of para-military forces to deal with the present situation, but at present the State has only about 120 companies.