The Assam government has identified 1,152 underdeveloped remote villages in 20 districts as breeding grounds of militants. It has decided to pay special attention to the development and creation of employment opportunities for youth to prevent them from joining militant outfits. These villages, in riverine or remote areas along the inter-State and international borders of the State, and are without roads, water supply and electricity.
Feeling of neglect
“There is a feeling of neglect and alienation among the youth of these villages,” Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said at Monday’s the conference of Chief Ministers held in Delhi. He requested the Centre to help the State implement the development plan. Mr. Gogoi stressed the need to ameliorate the perceived feeling of neglect and alienation among the Adivasi, Nepali and tribal communities to prevent Left-wing extremist organisations from making inroads. The Chief Minister alleged that Left-wing extremist organisations were trying to influence Adivasis through the Adivasi Cobra Militants of Assam (ACMA) and the Birsa Commando Force (BCF), which have been demanding Scheduled Tribe status for them, protection of the life and property of the community and employment for Adivasi youth. The two militant outfits have about 600 trained cadres and currently have a ceasefire agreement with the State government. “Reports of Maoists trying to make inroads into the Nepali-dominated areas along the India-Bhutan border have been received and my government is taking all required actions to prevent the move. However, we need to keep a close watch on the activities of the Maoist in the State.” Mr. Gogoi requested the Centre to review the rehabilitation scheme for surrendered militants to make it more attractive. He, however, claimed that militant groups in Assam had lost popular support. The Chief Minister said that along with the existing problem of ethnic insurgency, which graduated into terrorism, there was the danger of naxalism and fundamentalism raising their heads. “We must prepare for them now. Indeed, if immediate heed is not paid to these issues, all of us will have more trouble on our hands in the near future.”
