By IANS
Guwahati : Jihadi groups are trying to make inroads in Assam to spread terror and the issue will figure prominently during a meeting on internal security in New Delhi, the state chief minister has said.
“This has become a global phenomenon and even in Assam such jihadi elements are there although the situation is under control. This is mainly due to the proximity the state has with Bangladesh,” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS Tuesday.
Gogoi is expected to highlight the issue of insurgency and jihadi forces in Assam in Thursday’s meeting on internal security in New Delhi to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“I would be raising these sensitive issues in the meeting. Issues relating to modernisation of the state police, strengthening the intelligence network, and fresh recruitment of policemen would figure prominently in the meeting,” Gogoi said.
The issue assumes significance with sleuths of Assam’s special branch last week arresting a top operative of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) from the state capital, Guwahati.
Police said the S.M. Alam, a native of Bangladesh, was the key ISI operative involved in spreading terror in the whole of the northeast.
The chief minister will also participate in Wednesday’s National Development Council meeting in New Delhi to be chaired by the prime minister.
“I am going with a proposal seeking a comprehensive development module to tackle the twin problems of insurgency and economic underdevelopment. The root cause of all insurgencies and unrest in the state is lack of development and hence the need to fight terror through development,” Gogoi said.
The chief minister reiterated the government’s offer for holding peace talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
“We want the ULFA to come for talks. Violence cannot be answer to solving any problems,” Gogoi said.