Talking to newsmen, Narayanan said that there was no question of releasing the leaders before the outfit comes for talks. "Let them come for talks first," he said. -AT
Does anyone know if there is any conclusive documentation (Proof) that the Center had agreed to release the leaders before direct talks?
If there is, then this is the time for them to produce it/give it to the press, and prove the Center has gone back on its promise. That, IMHO, would be the right step. Otherwise, this will all be another 'he said, she said'
_______________
Centre denies move to free detained leaders
From Our Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 5 – National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan today denied any move on part of Government of India to unilaterally release five of the detained ULFA central committee members. The NSA's comment that came before his meeting with the two mediators, Rebati Phukon and Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, is significant, and indicates that the Centre is yet to make up its mind.
Talking to newsmen, Narayanan said that there was no question of releasing the leaders before the outfit comes for talks. "Let them come for talks first," he said.
Union Home Secretary, VK Duggal, who was also present with the NSA chipped in and said that there was no question of releasing the ULFA leaders now. The officials were briefing newsmen after the one-day meeting of the chief ministers on internal security.
The meeting attended by Union Home Minister and Chief Ministers, was also joined by National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan, besides senior officials of the Home Ministry. The meeting held at the Prime Minister's Race Course Road house also saw the Union Home Minister make presentation on the internal security scenario in the country.
Earlier, the Prime Minister asked the Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States and J and K to recognise a fundamental reality, that in dealing with problems of peripheral States and societies, they needed to be specially sensitive to the nuances of each situation, and the encyclopaedic character of regional and tribal demands which, if not anticipated and dealt with in time, could culminate in a full-fledged militancy.
"States like Manipur and Nagaland in the North-east appeared specially vulnerable today, and demand your personal attention. There is little scope for personal predilections that over-ride national considerations and requirements," he said.
The Prime Minister said that the Union Home Minister had briefed the Union Cabinet last week, on the prevailing situation. A number of proposals to improve matters were also outlined.
The main stress was on capacity building and improving the capability of the States to deal with current and future problems. Capacity building at the State level is most crucial, and, if there were any financial constraints, the Centre would be willing to provide necessary assistance, Dr Singh assured.
Pointing out to the assembled Chief Ministers that without effective law and order, economic development was impossible, the Prime Minister chided them for not doing enough. "Our understanding, however, is that the States are not doing enough even regarding the filling up of existing vacancies in the Police and other law and order agencies, or improving the quality of the State Special Branches, or toning up the law and order administration," he said.
"I also recommend to you paying more attention to improving the 'software' needed for the maintenance of peace. I mean by this, improving intelligence generation and collection, as also the overall strengthening of your intelligence mechanism. Analytical capabilities need to be enhanced. Proper benchmarks need to be established against which progress and performance can be measured," he further added.
The Prime Minister further suggested the constitution of an 'Empowered Group' of Ministers, with chief minister as members and proposed to be headed by the Home Minister, to closely monitor the spread of the Naxalite movement. The Group could meet at frequent intervals and review special measures that need to be taken, nature of assistance to be provided, exchange of personnel between States.
On the prevailing insecurity among minorities, especially Muslims, the Prime Minister reminded that adverse consequences of this could be extremely deleterious for the polity. It is unfortunate that terrorism has resulted in certain sections of our population being targeted, with the result that a wrong impression has been created of the radicalisation of the entire Muslim community.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while addressing the meeting on internal security, advocated the need for extension of the suspension of operations against the ULFA. He said that the efforts to bring the ULFA for direct talks should continue and asserted that the law and order situation in the state improved considerably. He admitted the existence of Jehadi groups in Asom and said that the State should remain alert in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that economic backwardness and the problem of unemployment are two of the biggest problems facing Asom and called for special packages for the overall development of the State.
From Our Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 5 – National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan today denied any move on part of Government of India to unilaterally release five of the detained ULFA central committee members. The NSA's comment that came before his meeting with the two mediators, Rebati Phukon and Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, is significant, and indicates that the Centre is yet to make up its mind.
Talking to newsmen, Narayanan said that there was no question of releasing the leaders before the outfit comes for talks. "Let them come for talks first," he said.
Union Home Secretary, VK Duggal, who was also present with the NSA chipped in and said that there was no question of releasing the ULFA leaders now. The officials were briefing newsmen after the one-day meeting of the chief ministers on internal security.
The meeting attended by Union Home Minister and Chief Ministers, was also joined by National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan, besides senior officials of the Home Ministry. The meeting held at the Prime Minister's Race Course Road house also saw the Union Home Minister make presentation on the internal security scenario in the country.
Earlier, the Prime Minister asked the Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States and J and K to recognise a fundamental reality, that in dealing with problems of peripheral States and societies, they needed to be specially sensitive to the nuances of each situation, and the encyclopaedic character of regional and tribal demands which, if not anticipated and dealt with in time, could culminate in a full-fledged militancy.
"States like Manipur and Nagaland in the North-east appeared specially vulnerable today, and demand your personal attention. There is little scope for personal predilections that over-ride national considerations and requirements," he said.
The Prime Minister said that the Union Home Minister had briefed the Union Cabinet last week, on the prevailing situation. A number of proposals to improve matters were also outlined.
The main stress was on capacity building and improving the capability of the States to deal with current and future problems. Capacity building at the State level is most crucial, and, if there were any financial constraints, the Centre would be willing to provide necessary assistance, Dr Singh assured.
Pointing out to the assembled Chief Ministers that without effective law and order, economic development was impossible, the Prime Minister chided them for not doing enough. "Our understanding, however, is that the States are not doing enough even regarding the filling up of existing vacancies in the Police and other law and order agencies, or improving the quality of the State Special Branches, or toning up the law and order administration," he said.
"I also recommend to you paying more attention to improving the 'software' needed for the maintenance of peace. I mean by this, improving intelligence generation and collection, as also the overall strengthening of your intelligence mechanism. Analytical capabilities need to be enhanced. Proper benchmarks need to be established against which progress and performance can be measured," he further added.
The Prime Minister further suggested the constitution of an 'Empowered Group' of Ministers, with chief minister as members and proposed to be headed by the Home Minister, to closely monitor the spread of the Naxalite movement. The Group could meet at frequent intervals and review special measures that need to be taken, nature of assistance to be provided, exchange of personnel between States.
On the prevailing insecurity among minorities, especially Muslims, the Prime Minister reminded that adverse consequences of this could be extremely deleterious for the polity. It is unfortunate that terrorism has resulted in certain sections of our population being targeted, with the result that a wrong impression has been created of the radicalisation of the entire Muslim community.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while addressing the meeting on internal security, advocated the need for extension of the suspension of operations against the ULFA. He said that the efforts to bring the ULFA for direct talks should continue and asserted that the law and order situation in the state improved considerably. He admitted the existence of Jehadi groups in Asom and said that the State should remain alert in this regard.
The Chief Minister said that economic backwardness and the problem of unemployment are two of the biggest problems facing Asom and called for special packages for the overall development of the State.
_______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
