Seamless coordination must for better policing in NE: Kiren Rijiju

ITANAGAR: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday urged the security forces in northeastern States to have a seamless coordination and intelligence sharing to ensure security of the region.

The Minister was addressing the delegates at the 25th Conference of DGPs, IGPs and heads of the Central Police Organisations (CPO) of the northeastern region which got underway in Arunachal Pradesh capital town Itanagar on Thursday.

Complimenting the forces for successfully handling the complex issues over the years leading to improved security scenario in the region, Rijiju said security issues and policing in the northeast are little unique and challenging, considering the fact that the states in the region share borders with countries like China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

“Due to its geographical situation and exposure to international border, the region has to deal with not only internal but also external problems,” Rijju said.

The Minister said coordination, cooperation and flawless intelligence sharing are crucial aspects for security.

He said the security situation in the northeastern states has improved significantly in the last four-and-half years. He said the level of violence and casualty figures in the region have come down by more than 50 per cent.

Mentioning the importance of coordination and cooperation among northeastern states, the Union Minister said though there are eight political units in northeast, they can work as one as far as security is concerned.

Further, he said the Assam Rifles Academy at Diphu in Assam’s Karbi Anglong has been identified for specialized training of the Northeast police in counter insurgency operations and NIA has been conducting training modules for North east police for investigations of terror related cases.

Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu urged the police chiefs to take steps to ensure regular informal talks among senior police officers of inter-state border districts to deal with the concerns of people of border areas.

Arunachal Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), S.B.K Singh and Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau, A.K. Mishra also spoke on the occasion.

The two-day conference of police and intelligence officers is being attended by the DG, police and senior police officers from the northeastern States, senior officers from Central Police Organisation and Intelligence Bureau.

The West Bengal police department is also taking part in the conference. (IANS)