Ex-Army command favours hard-line stance

Aizawl, Apr 21: Opposing the ongoing peace negotiation with the underground outfits of northeast, former Eastern Command Lt Gen (Retd) J R Mukharjee today advocated for an 'aggressive attitude' of the Indian Army against anti-Indian forces operating in the region.

Delivering speech in the open forum discussion on 'Dynamics and Issues of Development in NE India', jointly organised by Mizoram University and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies here, Mr Mukharjee lamented that the military forces are called for action only when all options fail.

He criticised the ongoing peace talks with the underground outfits and said, ''Peace can't be a subject of negotiation in a civilized society like what the governments have been doing with the militant groups for the past several years. Now the time has come to go for military action against the trouble-makers''.

"Negotiation is imperative but must be carried out rationally and be broad based and civil administration needs to be restored," he argued adding that immediate removal of inner-line permit and restricted area permit, operational in a number of NE states, are necessary.

He opined that northeast must switch from a centrally controlled economy to a regional market-driven economy, with large-scale investment while internal policy must stop balkanization - economic and cultural reintegration.

The former Army command also expressed concern over corruption, nexus between politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and insurgents in the region and reiterated that it must be tackled ruthlessly.

He stated migration of different ethnic groups, including Bangladeshis and Myanmarese, conflict between tradition and modernity, ethnic survival and proxy war were the main causes of slow progress of NE, and responsible for strife and insurgency in the area.

UNI