Apang seeks Centre's help to tackle insurgency in NE

Itanagar, Sep 6 (UNI) Holding the neighbouring states responsible for insurgency problems in Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Gegong Apang has stated that economic backwardness and unemployment problem are the root causes of violence in the entire Northeast region.

Addressing the Chief Ministers' conference on internal security issues in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Apang said the economic upliftment of the people was the only solution to the problems confronting the region for decades.

Officials quoting Mr Apang today said he also urged the Centre to provide a well-equipped police force to tackle insurgency in the region.

The CM also said that since the last one decade, some local outfits from the neighbouring states were trying to destroy peace in the state.

He claimed that the state government had effectively contained the home-grown insurgents and people also refused to be swayed away by anti-national groups active in the region.

A large number of Chakma and Hajong refugees have entered the state violating the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873, which was another major cause of disturbance, he said. Besides, the growing refugee population was another threat to the state's socio-economic development, Mr Apang added.

He also urged the Centre to initiate an amicable solution to the boundary dispute with Asom at the earliest.

Mr Apang also advocated to strengthen the states security by sealing the border routes thereby checking infiltration.

He also demanded the Centre to deploy Asom Rifles at the Indo-Myanmar border to counter insurgency operations, an army brigade on the Arunachal-Nagaland boundary and two additional battalions in insurgency affected districts of the state.

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