AFSPA: Rijiju seeks Itagar's view

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, April 13: Union MoS for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday informed that he has instructed the ministry’s officials to completely review imposition of AFSPA in 12 districts of Aruchal Pradesh and seek suggestions from the state government for altertive views.

“It is surprising to see that some people are opposing the extension of AFSPA in the state whereas I have already stated yesterday and directed the Home Ministry officials to review it completely and seek suggestions from the state government for altertive views,” he said in a statement.

“The Home Affairs Ministry took the decision only on the ground that the ongoing operation against NDFB(S) and some other outfits may not be successful if the militants find safe heaven in the state,” he said.

“We are a democratic government and we cannot run the government with a dictatorial attitude. If the state government is uncomfortable with this step then we will honour it. Law & order is a state subject and tiol security is dealt by Ministry of Home Affairs in close coordition with the state government,” he pointed out.

Stating that the NDA government would follow the spirit of cooperative federalism in the tiol interest, Rijiju informed that he was persolly in touch with the state Home Minister Tanga Byaling whereby he also verbally told his that security forces can go beyond 20 km distance within Aruchal Pradesh while chasing the insurgents.

“But since the state government feels that the earlier position may be maintained, Ministry of Home Affairs has no issues. Only some modalities need to be worked out for which the views of the state government is being sought. But it is a matter of fact that situation in many border areas of Aruchal Pradesh is disturbing due to regular activities of the ulras,” he said. “I would like to appeal both state government and the citizens of Aruchal Pradesh to be very vigilant about the movement of outside militants entering the state and not to allow them to vitiate peace in the state,” he added.