Guwahati : Guwahati is set to be under the unified command structure of the counter insurgency operation as the Union Home Ministry has put pressure on the state government to bring it under the cover. After earning the dubious distinction of being one of the most bombed cities in the country, Guwahati is being brought reluctantly under the Unified Command structure. The state government has so far kept out, Guwahati and Jorhat, from the operational area.
The official sources here said, after the formation of the NIA Ministry of Home Affairs has tighten the screw on the Assam police top brass. Though counter-insurgency operations in the state is planned and executed by the three-tier Unified Command, a joint team of state police, paramilitary forces and the army. The city was kept out of its purview as there was not much presence of militants when the security structure was conceived. The joint team is headed by the Chief Minister.
''Urbanization of terrorism in the recent past has forced the government to extend the purview of the Unified Command to Guwahati, which was by and large peaceful till the militants changed their strategy from direct combat with the security forces to planting bombs in busy populated areas,'' the officials said.
There were proposals on several occasions to bring the city under the Unified Command, whenever Guwahati witnessed any militant strike. However, the proposals were subsequently shelved as ''a knee-jerk reaction,'' a senior bureaucrat who retired recently said.
Another reason, he said, was the opposition from the police top brass ''as they wanted to retain their stranglehold over Guwahati which has its own importance as the gateway to the seven sister states.'' Under the Unified Command, the army heads the counter-insurgency operation while police and paramilitary forces mainly play supportive role. The Unified Command was highly successful in flushing out militants from its traditional rural base.
The official sources here said, after the formation of the NIA Ministry of Home Affairs has tighten the screw on the Assam police top brass. Though counter-insurgency operations in the state is planned and executed by the three-tier Unified Command, a joint team of state police, paramilitary forces and the army. The city was kept out of its purview as there was not much presence of militants when the security structure was conceived. The joint team is headed by the Chief Minister.
''Urbanization of terrorism in the recent past has forced the government to extend the purview of the Unified Command to Guwahati, which was by and large peaceful till the militants changed their strategy from direct combat with the security forces to planting bombs in busy populated areas,'' the officials said.
There were proposals on several occasions to bring the city under the Unified Command, whenever Guwahati witnessed any militant strike. However, the proposals were subsequently shelved as ''a knee-jerk reaction,'' a senior bureaucrat who retired recently said.
Another reason, he said, was the opposition from the police top brass ''as they wanted to retain their stranglehold over Guwahati which has its own importance as the gateway to the seven sister states.'' Under the Unified Command, the army heads the counter-insurgency operation while police and paramilitary forces mainly play supportive role. The Unified Command was highly successful in flushing out militants from its traditional rural base.
‘Armed Forces Act crucial in Northeast’
CHENNAI : Former Governor of Manipur and Jharkhand Ved Marwah on Friday said the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, which gave extra powers to the armed forces was necessary in the light of the disturbed situation prevailing in the North Eastern States.
Delivering a special lecture on Ethno-political situation in India’s northeast organised by the Centre for Security Analysis here, Marwah said the armed forces needed such protection in view of the situation in the seven sister States of the North East.
The State police forces are strongly influenced by local considerations, including the tribal social matrix. “In fact, the army is doing police duties like arrest and investigation as the ones who are supposed to do it are just doing nothing,” Marwah said, adding that in the absence of protection the armed forces may face false charges and vindictive action by the police. Each State faced a unique set of problems and the arms of the government too were polarised on ethnic lines. Only a thorough understanding could help offer better and sustainable solutions, he said.
“Manipur alone has over 30 insurgent groups and about 500 people were killed in the State last year. But the happenings in the NE States evoked little response from the mainland. This should change. Only a holistic approach, commitment and thorough understanding could help solve the problems of the NE region,” he said.
Corruption rules over States like Manipur and the strong nexus among bureaucrats, politicians and contractors has made growth a non-starter through the years.
The huge funds sent by the Centre for development initiatives go down the drain. This is because there is no basic infrastructure to absorb such funds and only corrupt officials, politicians and businessmen share the money.
Delivering a special lecture on Ethno-political situation in India’s northeast organised by the Centre for Security Analysis here, Marwah said the armed forces needed such protection in view of the situation in the seven sister States of the North East.
The State police forces are strongly influenced by local considerations, including the tribal social matrix. “In fact, the army is doing police duties like arrest and investigation as the ones who are supposed to do it are just doing nothing,” Marwah said, adding that in the absence of protection the armed forces may face false charges and vindictive action by the police. Each State faced a unique set of problems and the arms of the government too were polarised on ethnic lines. Only a thorough understanding could help offer better and sustainable solutions, he said.
“Manipur alone has over 30 insurgent groups and about 500 people were killed in the State last year. But the happenings in the NE States evoked little response from the mainland. This should change. Only a holistic approach, commitment and thorough understanding could help solve the problems of the NE region,” he said.
Corruption rules over States like Manipur and the strong nexus among bureaucrats, politicians and contractors has made growth a non-starter through the years.
The huge funds sent by the Centre for development initiatives go down the drain. This is because there is no basic infrastructure to absorb such funds and only corrupt officials, politicians and businessmen share the money.
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