NEW DELHI, April 28 � Asserting that removal of the sense of alienation of the people of the north-eastern region was the biggest challenge before the Centre, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has advocated a hardline approach to militant outfits indulging in violence in the North-east, particularly Assam.
Paresh Barua is not interested to come for dialogue, said the Home Minister, reminding that the Centre�s interlocutors were engaged in negotiations with other militant groups.
The Home Minister, who was replying to a debate on the working of the Home Ministry (Demand for Grants), while referring to the North-east, said the toughest challenge was to remove the sense of alienation among the people of the region. �The sense of alienation should be replaced by a sense of belonging,� he said.
Regarding militancy, Singh, who had received a flak for handling of the situation in the North-east, said the region has been affected by insurgency for long, but the government has succeeded in quelling violence in the region. Interlocutors have been appointed, he said, adding that the situation in the region is now stable.
Referring to the violence in the BTAD areas where over 60 persons were killed, the Home Minister said 200 culprits have been arrested. �I have already made it clear that the Centre will not tolerate violence and will not talk to any group, which indulges in violence,� he said, referring to its policy.
Urging MPs to be a little more patient, he said they can expect some results soon in the North-east. He said that talks with the NSCN(I-M) faction were at an advanced stage. �Just wait for some more time,� he said. �The problem will be solved soon.�
About Paresh Barua, he said that he was not interested in negotiations, �but in case of ULFA(I) we will get some results soon.� Singh however did not elaborate.
Meanwhile, the Home Minister said that the Centre is reviewing the decision to declare as disturbed areas regions along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, covering 12 districts, thus paving the way for imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in AP.
