HM REVIEWS LAW & ORDER/INSURGENCY SITUATION IN TRIPURA

Government of India Press Information Bureau - 05 August 1998

    Union Home Minister, Shri L.K. Advani held a meeting with Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri Manik Sarkar here today to review the law and order/insurgency situation in the State of Tripura. The Union Defence Minister,Shri George Fernandes; Union Home Secretary, Shri B.P. Singh; Defence Secretary , Shri Ajit Kumar; Director, IB, Shri Shyamal Dutta; Chief Secretary, Tripura, Shri V. Thulasidas; Director General Military Operations, Army Headquarters, Lt. Gen. I.K. Varma and other senior officials of Ministry of Home Affairs, Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police were present.

    The State Government outlinesd the measures taken by them to control the insurgeny sitation in the State. It was also noted that the Government of India have from time to time given the necessary support for the modernisation of the State Police Forces both in terms of finance and equipment.

    The State Government has put forward further proposals for modernisation of the State Police Forces which would be considered favourably by the Government of india. Government of India are also considering a proposal to build border roads including border fencing in the State of Tripura and this would be expedited.

    The need to augment the levels of deployment of Security Forces in Tripura and neighbouring States was also raised by the State Government. It was mentioned that the Security Forces have been asked to intensify their operation in the State. The request of the State Government to the Centre for bearing security related expenditure for fighting insurgency is also receinv the attention of the Government of India at the highest levels.

    The Prime Minister and other senior Ministers in the Government of India have also appealed to the insurgent groups to come forward for dealogue and for a ceasefire. The State Government would create conditions for dialogue with the insurgent groups.

    Union Home Secretary would review the progress of the decision taken at a meeting early next month.