The Hindu : Insurgency cannot be viewed in isolation: Tripura CM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 13, 2003

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Insurgency cannot be viewed in isolation: Tripura CM

By Anil Bhattacharjee

Manik Sarkar

AGARTALA APRIL 11. The Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar, believes that the insurgency problem in his State cannot be viewed or dealt with in isolation. He feels that the economic backwardness, especially among the tribals, in the entire northeast is one of the main causes. Added to this is the role of vested interests inside and outside the country.

He told this correspondent here recently that the region's tribals were a neglected lot. Pointing out that there had been attempts to misguide the tribal youth by vested interests, he said his Government, as a counter, proposed to emphasise on comprehensive development, particularly in the tribal areas.

The scope for education and employment had to be further extended for the tribal youth, he said adding that economic development meant they had to be made self-reliant.

"We have asked the extremists to return to the mainstream, to lay down their arms. We are out to help those who want to start their lives anew. Those who do not pay heed to our call and are determined to continue with disturbing peace, to continue atrocities, to stand in the way of development, they will be confronted. We have asked the Centre to exert pressure to see that the training centres for insurgents in Bangladesh are demolished. The border with Bangladesh should be sealed and the number of BSF personnel in the State should be increased."

"The Central Government is taking steps and extending help, but all our demands have not been met. Talks with Bangladesh are on, we are waiting," Mr. Sarkar said.

On reports that Bangladesh was harbouring members of the two outlawed outfits — ATTF and NLFT — he said that according to sources in the Central and State intelligence agencies the two outfits did have their centres in that country.

The top leaders of the two outfits regularly met personnel of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), he said. In fact, some outfits had themselves admitted it.

An extremist who had surrendered recently had confessed to receiving commando training in Pakistan, the Chief Minister said.

Asked whether he had witnessed any policy-shift by the Centre in view of the fact that underdevelopment was perceived as the major factor in the insurgents' war against the Indian state, Mr. Sarkar said a development package had indeed been announced.

"It would have been best if all the aspects of the programme were made equally effective. I do not feel the programme will solve all the problems of the northeast, but it will help the development process to a considerable extent."

Pointing out that two-and-a-half years had elapsed since the announcement of the programme, he said it was time review meetings were convened by the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers of the States in the region and with the senior officials.

Mr. Sarkar also sought more powers to the NEC (North Eastern Council) that was set up in 1972.

"It has to be admitted that the council is not serving its purpose fully. Without any reflection on their initiative or ability, I feel Governors (as chairman) have certain limitations. Union Ministers or the Vice-Chairman of the Planning Commission could be more effective."

Turning to the recent election to the State Assembly, he said the Congress-led alliance was defeated as the democratically-conscious people had rejected its nexus with the forces of separatism and secessionism.

The verdict was a positive mandate for developmental programmes, undertaken by the Left Front Governments in the past, he said. "As a result of the multi-purpose development projects undertaken during the last five years, we have several achievements to our credit.

Per capita income in the State has increased; there has been considerable increase in agricultural and industrial production which is reflected in the volume of revenue collected. The electorate took note of this fundamental change and gave its verdict."

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