NEW DELHI, May 27 – Reaffirming Centre’s commitment to resolve the insurgency problem, Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today assured that all legitimate grievances of the separatist outfits would be looked into urging them to join the mainstream. Interacting with newsmen on the sideline of the release of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) at his 7 Race Course residence, Dr Singh said that though he has so far not applied his mind as to how to go about the Naga peace process, he said the Centre would strive to address all the legitimate grievances. “At the same time I would like to appeal to all the outfits in the affected areas to join the mainstream,” he said.
Asked when he would like to visit Assam, the Prime Minister said it was undecided, as he was busy with the Government formation. “I am honoured by the fact that I am a representative of Assam and am proud that I represent the State,” he said. Centre’s policy on tackling militancy clarified by the Prime Minister found reflection in the CMP unveiled here this afternoon. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government is determined to tackle terrorism, military and insurgency in the North-east as a matter of urgent national priority.
The UPA Government is concerned with the growth of extremists’ violence and other forms of terrorist activity in different States. This is not merely a law and order problem, but a far deeper socio-economic issue, which will be addressed more meaningfully than has been the case so far. False encounters will not be permitted, the CMP said.
“All north-eastern States would be given special assistance to upgrade and expand infrastructure. The North Eastern Council (NEC) will be strengthened and given adequate professional support,” the CMP said. What perhaps could be news the north-eastern States were waiting for was a promise to consider creation of a Backward States Grant Allocation. The UPA Government will consider the creation of a Backward State Fund that will be used to create productive assets in these States.
The Central Government will also take pro-active measures to speed up the industrialization of the Eastern and North Eastern Region (NER), the CMP assured. The CMP has clarified the stand of the Centre on the issue of territorial integrity. The territorial integrity of existing States would be maintained. The clause was inserted under pressure of CPI to put an end to the controversy over demand for unification of Naga-dominated areas. The NSCN (I-M) has been insisting on unification of the Naga inhabited areas spread over three States of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
Centre is however, unlikely to rock the boat as far as the Naga peace process is concerned. The Centre’s chief interlocutor, K Padmanabhiah is likely to leave for Bangkok early next month to sound out the Naga leaders. He met Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil and formally briefed him about the Naga peace process. The NSCN (I-M), on its part, also promised to keep the momentum of the peace talks... to find an amicable solution to the decades-old Naga political problem.