Maoist threat a major concern for Assam

Guwahati, Apr 28 (ANI): Even though many militant outfits in Assam have come forward for negotiations, the region faces renewed threat from the Maoists.

On April 23, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stated that Maoists were trying to set up bases in the state and recruit youth from rural areas. He had urged the central government to tackle the problem. The main areas that have witnessed Maoist presence in Assam are Jorhat, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur.

" The government is giving money to every state to tackle the Maoist problem, similarly it needs to show its seriousness towards Assam also, " said Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam.

Two weeks ago, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram also talked about the presence of Maoists in Assam while he was addressing the Chief Ministers' meeting on internal security. During the meeting Gogoi also spoke to the Prime Minister and urged for deploying more paramilitary forces and implementation of Integrated Action Plan in the region.

Experts believe that northeastern insurgent outfits are training Maoists and providing them safe havens in exchange for funds and other logistical support. Maoists also aim to procure Chinese weapons through the Northeast route.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi pointed out that arms trafficking takes place in Assam as the state is on the international border and located in a hilly zone.

Be it the Maoists or other Northeast based insurgent groups, people of Assam want peace and harmony. They want a bright future for their children and want militant groups to shun violence and come forward for negotiations to resolve all the issues. (ANI)