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Security situation in NE complex: PM

By KALYAN BAROOAH

NEW DELHI, June 5 � While lauding the peace initiatives undertaken by the Centre in the North East, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday described the security situation in the region as complex.

The Prime Minister, who was delivering the inaugural address at the Chief Ministers� Conference on Internal Security at Vigyan Bhavan here this morning, red flagged the problems of extortion and agitations in the region. The meeting was convened by the Home Ministry to discuss the issues relating to internal security, including creation of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Naxal problems, police reforms, among others.

�The security situation in the North East continues to be complex, with insurgency, extortion and agitations being the main disruptive elements in the hands of the insurgents,� said the Prime Minister.

However, there has been considerable progress in dialogue with several insurgent and ethnic separatist groups in the north-eastern region. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with both factions of Dima Halam Daogah of Dima Hasao in Assam. Three Metei insurgent groups have signed MoUs in February. Talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland are continuing, Dr Singh added.

�We are committed to undertaking and bringing to a satisfactory conclusion talks with all groups and organisations, which are willing to give up violence to seek solution within the framework of our Constitution,� the Prime Minister reiterated.

On border management, Dr Singh said that greater focus and priority is being given to the work of fencing and construction of additional border outposts along the India-Bangladesh border, the construction and upgradation of roads along the India-China, India-Nepal and India-Bhutan borders, as well as development of integrated check posts on the India-Pakistan and India-Nepal borders.

In his address, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, referring to North East, said that suspension of operations agreements have been entered with various insurgent groups, which have shown willingness to give up violence and seek solutions for their problems peacefully within the Indian Constitution.

�Peace talks are being held with a number of outfits, like ULFA, NDFB (P) and NDFB (RD). This strategy has resulted in steady reduction in the level of violence. Moreover, the aforesaid strategy of the Government has also encouraged surrender by militants belonging to various groups and their participation in the political process,� he claimed.

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