GUWAHATI, Feb 19 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the ISI is now trying to get involved with the Maoists who are attempting to gain base in the North East region.
Talking to reporters after a meeting with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram at Raj Bhawan this morning, the Chief Minister said that the Maoist activities are increasing in the State with the ultras trying to set up base in some districts.
�In today�s meeting, we had discussed various issues related to militancy and stressed the need to foil any kind of attempts made by insurgent groups be it the Maoists or the anti-talk faction of any other organization,� Gogoi said.
�The Maoists are getting support from other NE rebel groups, like the ULFA and the ISI too is getting involved,� he said.
Gogoi also said that the State, during the course of today�s meeting, requested the Union Minister for additional Central forces to prevent any kind of militant activities in the State.
Altogether 86 battalions of Central paramilitary forces are currently deployed in the state and another 13 battalions that have been taken out for the Uttar Pradesh polls will also return after completion of the election process.
�Although the situation has improved, we are pressing the Home Minister for more forces to ensure that militants do not regain strength. We have asked for total 125 battalions,� the Chief Minister said.
�Like the Naxal-affected areas, we have also asked for special funds so that the Maoists cannot penetrate further,� he pointed out.
On the peace process with various militant groups, Gogoi said, �Our doors for talks are still open for everyone including the Paresh Barua-led ULFA faction. We want peaceful resolution of all problems and we will back the Centre in this.�
Gogoi went on to say that Myanmar continued to be a base for NE militants even after India�s relations with the neighbouring nation have improved.
�In fact, even the Myanmarese Government has limited influence in the areas where NE rebels have set up base,� he added.
The issue of rehabilitation of surrendered militants was also discussed with Chidambaram.
