AGARTALA, May 17 (IANS): Reiterating his appeal to the separatist outfits in India's Northeast to come to the negotiation table after abjuring violence, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said the central government must give more attention to the region besides merely providing funds.
"Peace would help northeast India to develop. We welcome all rebel outfits to hold talks either with centre or states, but after shunning violence. The government is ready to deal with the rebel outfits decisively," he said after laying the foundation stone for the building of an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Akhaurah check post along the India-Bangladesh boder in Tripura.
"Central government should not just provide financial allocation to the northeast, but give adequate attention too," he said.
"United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Assam, United Naga Council in Manipur and several other extremist outfits are keen to hold talks with the government," the home minister later told reporters.
He said that following the central government's request to the pro-talk ULFA faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa to prepare a document highlighting the issues to solve the vague problems, the outfit was now preparing the papers.
"Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has already announced to hold dialogue with the anti-talk ULFA faction led by (the outfit's elusive commander-in-chief) Paresh Barua," he said adding that preliminary talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Assam Chief Minister and pro-talk ULFA faction had already been held and the formal talks would resume soon.
"Talks with Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) are progressing smoothly," he added.
Referring to the Bangladesh government's crackdown against the northeast India militants in its territory, Chidambaram said: "Dhaka has extended splendid cooperation with New Delhi to improve internal security of India. We are extremely grateful to them."
"Earlier there were sanctuaries in Bangladesh, now the northeast India militants have very little scope to take shelter across the border."
Asking the Maoist guerrillas to read the writing on the wall, he said that more than 85 percent of people in West Bengal rejected non-democratic forces and took part in the electoral process.
"We are deeply hopeful that Maoist problems would be curbed at the earliest. No political parties are helping the Maoists in Bengal."
Asking the Tripura government to develop infrastructure, Chidambaram said expansion of infrastructure relating to education, health, connectivity and industry besides corruption-free governance are the need of the hour.
Appreciating the Tripura government's efforts to deal with the militants, Chidambaram said: "Centre and state government would work together to flush out remaining terrorism and develop the state."
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Chowdhury, senior state and central government officials were also present at the foundation stone-laying ceremony.
Also present were Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter and Bangladesh High Commissioner in India Tariq A. Karim.
Bengal post-poll violence: Expressing concern over the post-poll violence in West Bengal, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said he has asked the state administration to deal firmly with the political hostilities and clashes in the state.
"On Monday, I have spoken to West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan and discussed the post-poll violence. Governor has also asked the director general of police and chief secretary to take appropriate actions to check the violence," he said.
The home minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the building of an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Akhaurah check-post along the Bangladesh border in Tripura.
"This is a matter of regret. Trinamool Congress leaders have also publicly asked all concerned not to go with any kind of retaliation or attack anyone," the home minister told reporters.
"I would also appeal all concerned to maintain utmost peace and harmony in the post-poll Bengal. Everybody should carry his work quietly," Chidambaram said.
A delegation of West Bengal's just ousted Left Front headed by Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Mohammad Salim Monday met Narayanan in Kolkata and urged him to stop post-poll violence "purposefully" carried against Left workers and supporters.
They alleged that three CPI-M leader and workers were killed in different parts of Bengal since the declaration of election results.
Replying to a question about Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj's reports to the central government, Chidambaram said: "I would not discuss the issue with media persons. It would be discussed in the union cabinet soon."
