Pakistan’s ISI backing insurgents: Assam CM

Guwahati : Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is backing Maoists and insurgent outfits in Assam and other northeastern states to expand its activities, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Sunday after meeting union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

The two met for a law and order review meet at the Raj Bhavan here.

“The home minister discussed mainly insurgency related issues. The militant outfits of the northeast have united now due to their reduced strength and the ISI is trying to back the militant outfits and Maoists in spreading their network and activity in Assam,” Gogoi said.

He said the meeting also discussed strategy on how to tackle the activity of militants.

“Insurgency related incidents have decreased in the state, the home minister had admitted that the law and order situation has improved,” said Gogoi.

He has demanded that the central government give more funds to deal with Maoist activities, which are growing in Assam.

“I have demanded funds like the Naxalite affected areas. I have also demanded more paramilitary forces for Assam. The law and order situation is improving, but we need more paramilitary forces as we cannot take a risk,” he said.

The central government has withdrawn some companies of paramilitary forces deployed in the state ahead of elections in five states. At present the state has 86 companies of paramilitary forces to assist the state’s police force.

“The home minister today asserted that 13 companies of paramilitary forces will be given to Assam after the election process in five states is completed. However, I have demanded for more forces as our requirement is about 125 companies,” he said.

Gogoi said the militant outfits of the region have some base in Myanmar now. “Even the central government is aware of the fact that the outfits have their bases in Myanmar. The government had already taken up the matter with its counterpart in Myanmar. However, even the Myanmar government does not have authority in those areas where the militants bases are located,” said Gogoi.

Chidambaram had visited Reang refugees in Tripura Saturday. He is likely to visit Meghalaya Sunday before leaving for New Delhi in the evening.