Former Army Commander calls for strong action against ULFA

Jammu, Jan 11 (UNI) A former Army Commander of North Eastern Region today supported ''strong action'' against ULFA insurgents, who have massacred over 60 hindi-speaking migrants in Asom.

Talking to mediapersons, veteran Army Commander Lt Gen (Retd) Anup Singh Jamwal said there was an immediate need of strong action against ULFA.

When asked if ceasefire with ULFA was a mistake, Lt Gen Jamwal said the ceasefire should be an unconditional one. ''They (Insurgents) should not be allowed to dictate terms and conditions to the state, which is always supreme.'' ''A constant psychological pressure should be made on the insurgents,'' he said.

The veteran observed that situation at the moment in Asom ''does not invite any talks'' with ULFA leadership.

''We must carry on intelligence-based operations along with random cordon and search operations (CASO) to make insurgents ineffective in the region,'' Lt Gen Jamwal said.

He said borders of North-Eastern Region should be sealed and security forces should be given a free hand to conduct operations.

However, the veteran said guns could never be the solution to any militancy.

''Solution to any militancy is the people of the place. They have to come up and deny support (to Insurgents),'' he asserted.

On exodus of ''Hindi-speaking'' migrant Bihari population in Asom, he said government and local administration should take up confidence building measures and give them enough reason to stay back.

''Physical interaction of civil and security administration with the target population and infusing that degree of confidence is need to stop migration from Asom,'' he said.

UNI