Sonowal meets Rajth in Delhi, discusses NRC, jihadi threat

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 8: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today called on Union Home Minister Rajth Singh and drew his attention to a wide range of issues, including NRC, on-going peace talks and counter-insurgency operations.

Sonowal, who is on a three-day visit to New Delhi, apprised the Home Minister of the progress made by the State in updating the NRC. He also drew attention of the Union Home Minister about the fund crunch that the NRC exercise is facing and demanded fincial assistance.

He also apprised the Home Minister that the revised requirement of Rs 793.89 crore sent by the State government has still not been approved. Sonowal also stressed the need to consider release of a temporary advance of Rs 150 crore to meet the immediate requirements to ensure that the NRC updation exercise doesn't come to a standstill.

Sonowal also requested the Union Home Minister to expedite talks with the 13 extremist groups who are under ceasefire or Suspension of Operations agreements. He also requested for early consideration of the State Government's proposal for enhancement of stipend amount to the cadres from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000.

Sonowal also apprised the Home Minister that counter-insurgency operations under Unified Command have been successful to a large extent in improving the law and order situation in the State. However, after the recently concluded Assembly elections, 75 companies of CAPF were withdrawn from Assam. He sought the Home Minister's intervention to restore these companies.

The leaders also discussed jihadi threats in the State and ways and means to counter it.

Moreover, Sonowal sought the Centre's assistance for modernisation of police in the State to tackle all forms of crimes and their manifestations.  

The Chief Minister said that in Assam altogether 100 Foreigners Tribuls are functioning and to improve their functioning additiol support in terms of logistics is required. Sonowal sought Centre's assistance in this regard. Chief Minister also raised the issue of constructing more detention centres for the persons declared as foreigners by the Foreigners' Tribuls. He also stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Exterl Affairs should take up the matter with the Government of Bangladesh for a fast-track deportation mechanism to address the problem.

Sonowal drew attention of the Union Home Minister to the fact that the security related expenditure which is to be re-imbursed by MHA has not been released regularly and requested for restoration of the earlier system of fund allocation to Assam.

Chief Minister also requested for MHA's intervention to desist galand Government's attempt in encouraging encroachers while the issue is awaiting Supreme Court's judgement.  

Chief Minister Sonowal requested the Home Minister to take all necessary steps for sealing the Indo-Bangla border and revamp border infrastructure. The issue of the proposed 133 km long border road on Indo-Bhutan border also found space in their discussion.