Centre should consider insurgency as national issue: Sarkar

Agartala, Nov 16 (UNI) Tripura has asked the Centre to persuade Bangladesh to take stringent action against insurgents having their bases there and treat insurgency in the state as a national issue.

''Taking advantage of poverty and unemployment various insurgent groups are operating in the state with the help of neighbouring countries,'' Chief Minister Manik Sarkar lamented while addressing the 53rd North Eastern Council(NEC) meeting at New Delhi yesterday.

Mr Sarkar asked the Centre to persuade the Bangladesh government to take stringent action against the militants and close all their base camps, freeze bank accounts and hand them over to India.

''The underground outfits operating in the state have their bases in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Their operations have affected peace in the entire NE region,'' he rued.

''As peace is essential for a state's development, insurgency has to be considered as an issue of national importance and should be taken up with utmost seriousness,'' Mr Sarkar said.

He also stressed upon early completion of the pending border fencing and urged the BSF to be more vigilant in guarding the international border.

He demanded proper rehabilitation of those affected by the fencing and revamping the Border Area Development Programme (BADP).

He urged DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar to ensure development of rail, surface, air and telephone connectivity in the NE region in 11th five year plan.

UNI PB PL KLC1320