NEW DELHI, June 17 - Zero tolerance policy against terrorism will continue during the second tenure of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the Centre is not keen on talking to any militant organisation under the �shadow of gun�.
Highly placed official sources in the Central government told The Assam Tribune that as Home Minister Amit Shah is new at the Centre, he is holding a series of meetings with officials to know the situation on the ground. Jammu and Kashmir, North East and areas infested by Maoist militancy are in special focus of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Sources said that the government has also adopted a tough stand on the issue of talks with militant outfits and there would be no talks �under the shadow of gun�. Sources said that the doors of the government are open for talks with anyone but such talks would be minus the gun. �India is a democratic country and anyone can raise grievances. The government is ready to talk on the grievances of anyone but no one would be able to force the government to talk by killing innocents,� the sources pointed out. Giving one such example, the sources said that the NDFB (S) killed a number of innocent people in 2014 and when a massive counter-insurgency operation was launched against the outfit, it sent feelers to the government expressing its desire to talk, which was rejected. Same kind of policy would be maintained by the government in the days to come. However, ongoing talks with militant groups, which signed ceasefire agreements with the government, will continue and the government is keen on expediting the process to find out comprehensive solution to the problems.
Sources pointed out that relations with Myanmar was at its best and the government of the neighbouring country has been extending cooperation to India in dealing with militancy in the North East. The security forces of both countries are working in close coordination and after forcing the militants of the North East to vacate their camps, the Myanmar Army has launched an intensive operation to flush out the militants. The government of Myanmar has assured India that all militants staying in that country would be flushed out with a sustained operation.
The present offensive against the militants was a marked change in the stand of the Myanmar government. Earlier, Myanmar Army personnel carried out only cosmetic operations from time to time. But following the improvement of relations between India and Myanmar, a sustained operation was launched. The Myanmar Army first took over the camps of militant groups early this year and a sustained operation to flush out the members of militant groups was launched early this month.
Security forces on the Indian side of the international border are on high alert to nab militants who try to sneak into India following the operations against them by the Myanmar Army. Sources admitted that lack of adequate infrastructure in the areas bordering Myanmar was a major problem and that was why steps have already been initiated for infrastructure development in the areas and a number of roads are in various stages of completion.
Improving policing in areas near the international border is also on top of the agenda of the Government of India as it is felt that better policing is one of the keys to restrict the movement of militants. Sources said that the Government of India has started providing funds for setting up of new police stations and also to impart adequate training to the police personnel.
