Central team reviews Assam situation

Guwahati, Feb 15 (UNI) A Central government team, headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, today reviewed the law and order situation and counter-insurgency operations in Assam at an Unified Command meeting here.

They also took stock of the progress and implementation of the various central sponsored schemes in the state at a separate meeting.

The central team, which flew for New Delhi today, had discussed the law and order situation with state Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh last evening after arriving from the national capital.

Besides the Union Cabinet Secretary, Defence Secretary, Union Rural Development Secretary and Union Health Secretary are part of the visiting Central team. The Union Home Secretary's visit was cancelled at the last moment yesterday.

The team met state Home ministry officials in the first meeting of the day.

The recent law and order developments of the state are reported to have figured in the meeting with special focus on counter-insurgency operations which was also discussed at length in the Unified Command Strategy Group meeting later in the afternoon.

The recent unravelling of an alleged plane hijack plan of the ULFA by the Assam Police has added to the importance of today's meeting.

The state government is learnt to have put its case for modernisation of its police force as well as more battalions to man the various strategic points in the state.

The Central team also reviewed the implementation of the central schemes, including Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and road construction schemes, in the state.

The meeting is also reported to have discussed the recommendations of the Sachar committee for the uplift of the conditions of the minorities.

UNI SG-MT KK VD KN1841