Sonowal calls for strong intelligence gathering mechanism

Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 16: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal underscored the need for strengthening of intelligence gathering mechanism and better coordition among the States and the Central intelligence agencies to deal with new challenges in the wake of increased jihadi activities in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Speaking at the 11th meeting of the Inter-State Council at RBCC ceremonial hall Rashtrapati Bhawan here today, Chief Minister Sonowal said the Northeast region faces serious challenges of insurgency aided by anti-India forces, ethnic conflicts, long standing border disputes, drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal intertiol trade in rhino horns and other wildlife and above all illegal migration through porous borders, and needs to have in place a coordited and effective intelligence gathering mechanism to foil the sinister designs of nefarious forces out to disturb peace and harmony in the region.

Sonowal urged Prime Minister rendra Modi and Home Minister Rajth Singh to equip the Assam Police with latest gadgets and weapons and intensive training to deal effectively with insurgents and jihadi elements. The Chief Minister underlined the need for strengthening road communications and telecom connectivity along border areas and remote habitations in Assam and neighbouring States to thwart the nefarious designs of forces inimical to India.

Sonowal said the time is ripe to harness the untapped potential of tural and human resources through innovative methods to achieve better life for the people against the backdrop of “reasoble level of peace and normalcy returning to my State”.

The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to consider altertive mechanism to Aadhar as the NRC updation exercise is on and Aadhar enrolment process will take time. “As we propose to take up Aadhar enrolment in full swing after completion of NRC updation in next couple of months, I request Prime Minister to consider using altertive mechanism to provide direct benefits including subsidies and public services to the citizens of Assam till that time,” he said, adding that the issue has caused genuine apprehension in the minds of the people that without NRC updation, Aadhar may be used by illegal migrants for availing various Government benefits and for claiming citizenship. In this context, Sonowal proposed the use of Jan Dhan accounts for the purpose till Aadhar enrolment is taken up after completion of NRC updation exercise. At present there are only around 13 lakh Aadhar enrolments in Assam out of a population of more than 3 crore.