GUWAHATI, Sept 21 � The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is of the view that the state police forces should now take the lead in the counter-insurgency operations in Assam and other parts of the region and the central forces should play more of a supporting role. The Centre is also concerned about violation of the ground rules of the cease-fire agreements by members of different militant groups.
Highly placed sources in the MHA told The Assam Tribune that the overall law and order situation in the North East region was discussed in detail in the recently concluded meeting of the heads of the state police forces. The meeting was convened by the MHA and the Union Home Minister admitted in the meeting that the overall situation in the region has improved but there is still need for continuing the operations.
Sources said that at present, the Army is taking the lead in the counter-insurgency operations in Assam as the GOC of the 4 Corps of the Army is the operational head of the Unified Command. Though no decision has yet been taken on disbanding the Unified Command, the MHA is of the view that the police should play a more responsible role in the operations.
MHA sources pointed out that militancy is on the wane and only a few splinter groups are active in the State. The mass support to the militants is also dwindling and it is time for the police to play a more positive role and to bring the common people closer to the men in uniform. Sources also pointed out that the local police personnel are in a better position to deal with the situation now as they know the people and the area better than the forces brought from outside. The Assam police handled difficult situations in the past and there is no reason why the force cannot play a bigger role in counter-insurgency operations now, particularly because of the fact that the Army and other Central forces would be there to provide necessary back up support, sources added.
