'Govt must consider insurgency as natl issue'

Agartala, Nov 16: The Tripura government has asked the Centre to impress upon Bangladesh to take stringent action against insurgents having their bases in Dhaka and consider 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 said while addressing the 53rd North Eastern Council (NEC) meeting at New Delhi yesterday.

Mr Sarkar asked the Centre to impress upon the Bangladesh government to take stringent action against 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 said.

''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 on the early completion of the longstanding border fencing and urged the BSF to be more vigilant in guarding the international border.

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

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

UNI