EDITORIAL

THE situation in the North East is indeed grave. As we go to press, for the fifth day in succession, devastating terrorist attacks have taken place leaving nearly a hundred dead and many more injured.

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) have openly claimed to be the perpetrators of these attacks. Clearly, both these groups are acting in concert in spreading terror in the entire North East. Like ULFA, the NDFB remains adamant about its demand for independence and has declared unwillingness for a dialogue. The ULFA on the other hand has claimed that this is their reply to the call for dialogue extended recently by the Assam chief minister. It appears that following the successful crackdown by the Bhutanese and the Indian security forces earlier this year dismantling the terrorist camps in Bhutan, these organisations have mounted these attacks to forcefully prove that they have overcome that setback.

Clearly, the topmost priority must be accorded to preventing the continuation of such dastardly attacks. This can be done only through a combination of measures. First, while mounting a concerted counter-offensive, the Indian security forces will have to ensure a high degree of coordination amongst the North Eastern states. Secondly, efforts must be made to seek the cooperation of both Bangladesh and Myanmar in containing the cross border movement of these terrorists and the operations of these outfits. The CPI(M) and its Tripura chief minister have repeatedly drawn the attention of the central government to the presence of such camps and activities in neighbouring lands. It is time that these matters must be taken seriously by the central government.

While ensuring that an effective counter-insurgency strategy which is sharply focused and professionally executed is put in place, the central government must keep in mind that in the final analysis the efforts for a political solution must be carried out simultaneously. The Assam state government has so far appeared insufficiently equipped to handle such a crisis. The state government must now concentrate all its energies in tackling the terrorist menace. The elected state governments in the region must, like in Tripura, take political initiatives to mobilise public opinion to isolate the terrorist forces. All the elected governments in the North East must be assisted by the central government to the necessary extent in containing this terror and violence.  October 6, 2004