SHILLONG, MAY 2: Union home joint secretary Satyendra Garg on Monday said the centre is ready to talk with any militant groups if they abjure the path of violence even as he admitted the easy-access to arms through the unfenced border.
According to him, the centre is also concerned over the issue related to the recruitment of child soldiers by the different militant outfits operating in the north east region including Meghalaya.
“The central government has made its policy very clear. The pre-condition is that they (militants) have to give up arms and violence,” Garg told reporters after a meeting held with state home minister Roshan Warjri on Monday.
Admitting the fact that militants in the NE region are thriving because of easy access to arms which are smuggled through the international borders, he said, “Arms in the NE definitely comes from outside the region.”
The union home joint secretary said that though efforts are being made but there are constraints especially in the Indo – Myanmar border which is unfenced besides the minimal presence of security.
“We are aware that arms do come in the region from the border. We will keep upgrading our security and whatever can be done within our constraints, we will keep on doing,” he added.
Recently five surrendered cadres of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has revealed that the outfit is recruiting children for arms training in the general camp located at Durama Hills in East Garo Hills District.
When asked, Garg said, “We are concerned about the issue as child soldiers anywhere are bad.” He said that the policy of the government of India is that no child should be in anywhere near any insurgency situation.
“Any child who is inducted into insurgency is bad and of course we will take corrective measures,” Garg stated.
Meanwhile, the MHA official while refusing to disclose the issues discussed with the state government in the meeting only remarked that Meghalaya is doing quite well in as far as the law and order situation is concerned.
He said the state police have achieved quite a bit (in respect to Garo Hills). On the other hand, Garg said that in as far as the overall situation in the NE is concerned, the year 2016 was much better than any other previous years.
He said,“2016 so far is better than 2015 as control on insurgency and insurgency related situation is much better.”
When enquired, he however said that at the moment there is no initiative to bring the NSCN (K) to the negotiating table and operation against them will continue since they are unlawful organization.-By Our Reporter
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