Manipur particularly vulnerable, says PM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 20:
Touching on a whole gamut of issues concerning the internal security of the country, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said that the problems of the North East States and Jammu and Kashmir are unique and stressed that the situation is vulnerable in Manipur and Nagaland.
Addressing the Chief Ministers' Conference on internal security at New Delhi today, the Prime Minister said that the North East States and Jammu and Kashmir are unique and added that these regions suffer from poor infrastructure and communication facilities.
"It has been our sincere attempt to improve these facilities so that these States too can benefit from our booming economy," said the Prime Minister.
However these States have vulnerabilities on the internal security front which needs to be discussed, said Dr Singh and added, "each Sate has its specific nuances and characteristics and we cannot generalise the problems.
"There are many regional and tribal demands which need to be addressed systematically," said Dr Manmohan Singh and added that if not done soon they can lead to disaffection and law and order problems.
While the Prime Minister admitted that there has been an improvement in the overall situation in all these States, he made an exception and observed "Manipur and Nagaland appear to be particularly vulnerable".
Pointing out one of the problematic causes for the situation in these two States as well as in the other North East States, the Prime Minister said, "Extortion seems to be a frequent occurrence.
We need to put an end to this.
We need to enforce the rule of law and create a respect for the State apparatus.
"We need much better leadership at all levels so that militancy is curbed and people feel secure.
National considerations and requirements should take overriding priority.
I wish to hear from the Chief Ministers of the North Eastern States, their perception of the situation and how they propose to handle the delicate situation that prevails in some of their States".
The Prime Minister also touched on the need to improve the police apparatus all over the country and asserted , "I believe that citizens should see policemen as their friends.
"It should be our common endeavour to improve routine policing, policing which affects the day to day life of our citizens, policing which gives them a sense of security and comfort".