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| Militancy in J&K different from Assam: Gen Sinha | | |
AGENCIES
Guwahati, Dec 18 – Former Governor of Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen (Retd) SK Sinha has outlined the difference in militancy in both the States and said that the basis of beginning of militancy in both the states was different. He also said that the role of Pakistan in aiding militancy in Jammu and Kashmir was more active than in Assam. Talking to The Assam Tribune, Lt Gen Sinha, however, admitted that the situation in Assam was deteriorating because of growing involvement of the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and DGFI of Bangladesh in aiding the militant groups and jehadi elements.
Lt Gen Sinha said that insurgency in Assam started mainly because of feeling of neglect and discrimination, which was correct to some extent. He pointed out that large number of people of Assam were of the view that Assam was treated more like a colony by the Government of India since Independence and the natural resources available in the State including oil was used more in other parts of the country. It is also a fact that no major hydropower project came up in the State despite having abundant potential for the same. “During my time as the Governor of Assam, we tried our best to remove the feeling of neglect and we were successful to some extent,” he added.
On the other hand, insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir was based on religious fundamentalism from the very beginning. Moreover, the involvement of Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir was much more active and in fact, Pakistan has been indulging in a direct proxy war against India through Kashmir for years, Lt Gen Sinha added. He also said that over the years, the level of violence in Kashmir was much higher than in Assam.
The former Governor said that for years, the role of Pakistan in aiding insurgents of Assam was limited because of geographical reasons. But in recent times, the complexion of militancy in Assam changed as the militant groups started receiving direct help from the ISI and DGFI, while, the activities of the jehadi elements also increased the security threat to Assam and other parts of the North East. He said that at one point of time, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was fighting against the illegal migrants from Bangladesh and now the outfit is dependent on Bangladesh for its survival. He termed the ULFA as the “biggest traitors” of the people of Assam and said that the outfit was aiding illegal migration for its own survival, while migration has posed a threat to the people of the State. He said that the treason by the ULFA could be compared with the person responsible for inviting the Burmese to attack Assam in the 19th century.
Lt Gen Sinha also expressed the opinion that the Government would have to give up the policy of appeasement and vote bank politics to deal with the problem of insurgency in Assam.
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