Insurgency hurdle to NE development: Simon Wilson

Guwahati, Jan 28 (UNI) British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India Simon Wilson today stressed on the need for fighting insurgency in Northeast to promote development in the region.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day workshop on 'Identity and Development: Twin Challenges in India's Northeast', orgainsed by the Centre for Development and Peace Studies(CDPS), Guwahati, and supported by the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata.

Mr Wilson said, the Northeastern part of India faces various natural challenges including its topography, which makes infrastructural development projects and connectivity difficult. The last thing the region needs is conflict, which it has unfortunately been dealing with for decades.

He also said the cooperation UK has pledged to India to combat terrorism in a joint manner, with initiative started by Tony Blair being taken forward by the present UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He stressed on the need for resolving this conflict thorough dialogue.

While stating that the conflict was the sign of a living society, Mr Gogoi added that the means adopted to address the conflict should be democratic and peaceful.

He identified rapid development as a means for combating insurgency in the region and urged greater participation at all levels to achieve it.

The Chief Minister also launched a website of the CDPS, a non-profit organisation set up in 2003 and engaged in research and writings on the issues relating to peace, development and security in India's NE.

The organisation's director Wasbir Hussain welcomed the guests at the opening with the President of the CDPS T L Barooah offering the vote of thanks.

Eminent scholars from within and outside the region would deliberate and debate over the two-days on the issues of nationalism, identity, governance and development of the region.

UNI SG LL DS MIR KP1713