He is now convinced that the danger from the international borders in the North East must be faced by the concerned states in cooperation with the Central Government and hence, he has gone on record saying that at present, the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar have posed a challenge to the internal security of Assam. Bangladesh has emerged as the hub of fundamentalist forces facilitating cross border terrorism. The Bangladesh Government has not taken action as per the expectations of the people and the Government of India regarding both extradition of long wanted terrorists and destruction of terrorist camps on its soil. Assam continues to be not only hunting grounds for the fundamentalists who have their common mentor in a foreign intelligence agency but also is adding a new dimension  to the internal security scenario of the Northeastern region. The 73-year-old Chief Minister has not hesitated to say that these anti- national groups have developed operational understanding for launching violence on a much bigger scale in the coming days.

Besides Bangladesh, the international border with Myanmar is another concern for the internal security of Assam. The states which share the international borders with that country are Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram and this porous border is used by the ULFA and DHD(J) for their movement and as well as for trans shipment of arms into the states. There are instances when the trans shipment of arms and explosives were dispatched through the Cox Bazar in Bangladesh to Assam from the Mizoram-Myanmar and Manipur-Myanmar borders. Diplomatic pressure should be built on Bangladesh and Myanmar Governments for initiating pro-active action against the militant outfits.

Although Assam does not have a common border with Nepal, the nexus between the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and CPI (Marxist) is causing much concern to the Northeastern states including Assam. The VISA free regime between India and Nepal is being taken advantage of by anti-national people to import Maoist ideology into India including Assam. The areas in North Bengal, especially Siliguri, which is the gateway to the North East, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim and Darjeeling, have been silently affected by the CPI (Maoists) to spread their ideology and bases in Assam from where it can be carried forward to other North East states. Under its influence, the Communist Party of Bhutan (CPB) has already launched a movement against Bhutan’s monarchy. The UlFA and the NDFB are looking for an opportune movement in collusion with these forces to regain their lost base in Bhutan .There can not be any disagreement with the Assam Chief Minister when he says that in view of the complexity of the vexed problem, the Government in New Delhi should consider streamlining the movement of foreigners on the sensitive Indo-Nepal border. It is indeed a good proposal which should be accepted by the Government of India.

Mr. Gogoi has also rightly said that Left Wing terrorism called naxalism is ye to make inroads in Assam but Dispur should not be complacent. The Cobra militants and Birsa Commando Force are trying to influence the sizeable Adivasi population in the state. They have been demanding Schedule Tribe status for the Adivasis in Assam, protection of their lives and property and employment opportunity for their youth. Their grievances are being looked into but in the meantime, the Maoists are not sitting idle. They have not slackened efforts to indoctrinate the simple tribal people. The Assam Government has constituted six Autonomous Councils for Rava, Mishing, Tiwas, Sonowal Kachari, Thengal Kachari and Deuri tribal communities. During the current year, the state government proposes to constitute Development Councils for the Moran, Matak, Ahom, Chutia, Koch Rajbanshi, Tea Tribals / Adivashi, Sarania, Amri Karbi and Gorkha communities. Nobody will accuse Mr. Gogoi of exaggerating the volatile situation in his state. But it will be foolish on his part to rely on Dhaka to take appropriate action against the extremists operating there to create trouble in the North East. It was never cooperative and is never tired of vociferously and repeatedly announcing that its soil will not be allowed to be used against India. However, everybody in the North East knows what the ground reality is. Therefore, Mr. Gogoi should concentrate on the modernisation of the state police force and the intelligence set-up and these should be given adequate power to deal with fissiparous forces. While vigilance must be strengthened, there should not be any interference in their activities.

 

P.K. Chakravarty