Shillong: The root cause of insurgency in
the North lies in the perception of the people that the region
has been neglected by the Centre over the years, speakers at a
North East Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference
have observed.
Underlining the immense potential in the region in terms
of natural resources, Assam Assembly speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai
said, "the public has been accusing New Delhi of ignoring the
development in the region."
This perception, Rai said, "has led to the separatist
movement in the region, with evolution of groups which have
been demanding either separate states, or autonomy or even
independence."
Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang said there is a
strong desire among the people to protect their local
identities.
"While the roots of insurgency lies in the socio-economy
and political environment of the North East, it has been
reinforced by the conceived neglect of the region. The
economic backwardness has propelled the youths to take path of
violence ," he said.
Lapang said there was a need to win the hearts of the
hearts and mind of the people to address the problem.
-PTI
First Published: Friday, January 29, 2010, 22:28