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'Bangladesh has helped weaken NE outfits'

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Sept 13 - A friendly Government in neighbouring Bangladesh has helped weaken several of the insurgent outfits of the North East forcing many groups to sign peace accords with the Government of India, noted Gandhian and social worker Natwar Thakkar said here on Saturday.

Thakkar, who is to be honoured with �Karmyogi Award� by BJP national president Amit Shah here at the Constitution Club on Sunday, said that all through history hostile neighbour in association with Pakistan has played a crucial role in strengthening the insurgents of the North East.

Bangladesh has now become a friend and the neighbour�s change of policy has forced many underground groups to sign peace accords with India, he observed.

The octogenarian Gandhian, who spent his entire life working in Nagaland, when asked about the peace accord signed with NSCN (I-M), said that the Naga Accord at any time is good.

Referring Th Muivah�s recent speech delivered during the �Naga Independence Day� on August 14, Thakkar said that it was much cordial and he has shown liberalism.

About the Naga Accord, he said that he was not aware of the details but what he understood was that it is a framework for an accord in the future. The interlocutor RN Ravi is a highly knowledgeable officer and would help in bringing about a good outcome, he felt.

However, the social activist, who has been honoured with several awards, said that the people of Nagaland feel that whatever is the final accord, it should involve all organisations.

About the Khaplang faction, he said, it has chosen a different path and has voluntarily disassociated with the ceasefire.

Thakkar, who was himself on the hit list of the NSCN, said that times have changed and different elections have convinced the people against secessionism. �The feeling of secessionism has practically disappeared,� he observed, adding, the general mass is not in favour of secessionism.

The change has taken place at a very fast pace and good governance is now the key word. The civil society has now started taking interest. He said that continuous violence in the State has affected good governance and encouraged corruption, which has become a bane for the society.

The drug menace, alcohol and a high degree of corruption is the outcome of the long spell of insurgency, he said.

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