Lok Sabha Debates
Shri G.M. Banatwalla Called The Attention Of Minister Of Home Affairs To The ... on 18 December, 2000
nt> 1405 hours The Lok Sabha re-assembled after Lunch at five minutes past Fourteen of the Clock.
(Shri Basu Deb Acharia in the ChairTitle: Shri G.M. Banatwalla called the attention of Minister of Home Affairs to the situation arising out of insurgency and voilence in North Eastern states and steps taken by the Government in this regard.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA (PONNANI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I call the attention of the Minister of Home Affairs to the following matter of urgent public importance and I request that he may make a statement thereon:
"Situation arising out of insurgency and violence in North Eastern States resulting in killing of several persons and steps taken by the Government in regard thereto. "
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, the overall security scenario in most States of the North East has been in control. However, the situation in Assam, Tripura and Manipur has been causing concern.
The Government is particularly distressed about the spate of recent killings in Assam, unleashed mainly by the banned ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) and targeted principally at Hindi speaking persons. Since 22 October, 2000, as many as 96 civilians, all Hindi speaking Assamese, have been brutally killed.
In the past few years, ULFA has been rapidly losing public support. There has also been a powerful backlash against its anti-national activities. There has been conspicuous demoralisation in the ranks of this militant organisation. During the last three years, nearly 3000 ULFA militants have laid down arms and surrendered to the Government.
A special meeting of the Strategy Group for Assam was convened at Guwahati on December 3, 2000 to discuss the situation which was also attended by the Joint Secretary (North East), Ministry of Home Affairs. An emergent meeting was convened by me at Delhi on December 8, with the Governor and Chief Minister, Assam for discussion on the law and order situation in Assam. This meeting was also attended by the Defence Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Union Home Secretary, several officials of the Ministries of Home and Defence and of the Government of Assam. Based on these meetings, an action plan to tackle the situation has been drawn up. In pursuance of this, orders have been issued releasing additional 27 Companies of the CRPF to the Government of Assam.
The situation in Manipur is a cause for concern and is being constantly kept under watch. The State Government has been repeatedly advised to deal firmly with the police personnel responsible for repeated loss of weapons. The State Government has also been asked to deploy more force on counter insurgency operations.
The situation in Tripura has also been closely monitored in the Ministry of Home Affairs. I had also personally visited Tripura earlier this year and comprehensively reviewed the law and order situation with the State Government and the officials there.
The Government has taken various measures to curb the activities of extremists in the North Eastern States, which inter alia,include deployment of Para-military forces and Army in the States, co-ordinated action by Army, Para-military Forces and the State police for counter insurgency operations and declaration of major insurgent groups as unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967; declaration of insurgency affected States as "disturbed areas" under the Armed Forces (special Powers) Act, 1958; reimbursement of security related expenditure to the State Government and modernisation/upgradation of State Police Force. Regular review of the situation both at State and Central Government level is being made.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, the extremist violence in the North-East is a matter of serious concern. It is rather unfortunate that the Government has taken a rather complacent attitude as is seen from the statement of the hon. Minister who says that there have just been `some’ incidents of violence in the North-East! They believe that the situation is otherwise under their control. As everybody knows, the entire nation has been shocked at the spate of killings we have had recently in Assam.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI: The words, `spate of killings’ have been used in my statement.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Yes, there is a reference to the words, `The spate of killings in Assam’. But then, the complacent attitude is, that those are only `some’ incidents of violence, whereas we find that..
श्री विजय गोयल (चांदनी चौक) : बनातवाला जी, इसमें सम तो लिखा नहीं है।
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : I have a copy with me. Shall I place a copy of the statement on the Table of the House?
MR. CHAIRMAN : No need. You go on.
SHRI VIJAY GOEL : You are talking technically.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Not technically. It is there; it is very much there.
The Assam situation was never so bad since the Nelli massacre in l983 when l,500 Muslims were massacred. Now, the situation is that we have this spate of killings recently. The number of incidents of violence has grown from 568 in l998 to 6l4 in l999. In these two months also, since October, according to the Government itself, 96 civilians have been killed in Assam. There has, therefore, been a spate of killings of the non-Assamese people in Assam. The result is a panic over there and the fleeing of various people outside the State itself.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI: I have given this statement now.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : All right. I do not know but I have three versions with me. The first was supplied to me, then a second one was supplied to me and now a third one has come! That shows how uncertain a mind this Government has and what attitude has been taken at this particular situation that is there.
As I said, in Tripura itself, nearly 48 killings have occurred in these two months itself. The Tripura Government’s writ does not seem to run also in many parts of the State. The leaders of the indigenous people of the Front of Tripura declared the Council Area as being out of bounds for the State Police. The Chief Executive Member of this Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District council says that the State Police would not be allowed also within the jurisdiction of the Council and that they would have their own Police Force.
They have approached the Central Government – the Tripura Government has approached the Central Government and the Minister of Home Affairs – and I do not know what is the response of the Government in this unconstitutional, shocking situation.
I want to emphasise one particular fact and that is that the extremist activities feed upon certain prejudices. They draw their strength from misconceptions and prejudices and, unfortunately, the Government and the official action on the policy simply goes to strengthen these prejudices and misconceptions. We talk, for example, of the high magnitude of infiltration. The immigration factor, the factor concerning infiltration is exaggerated beyond proportions as if there is an invasion from outside. These things go on feeding the extremist attitude.
In Guwahati, there was a meeting. The Chief Minister and others were there and a leader of a particular party, already in the Central Government over here, even said that all the Muslims are foreigners and, of course, we recently had an echo also from Mumbai with the Shiv SenaPramukh condemnably saying that the Muslims should be disenfranchised. In view of all these things, I say that the extremist activities feed upon prejudices and, unfortunately, the Government action goes to promote these prejudices.
An important functionary of Assam – unfortunately, I cannot name him because in order to name him, there must be a substantive motion – goes on to say that there is such an infiltration and such a large number of foreigners in Goalpada, and Dhubri in particular, that they may even cede and go to Bangladesh. These are things on which the extremists feed upon. In Tripura, a Front identifies that there are State estimates of 26 lakh immigrants, out of which, 20 lakhs they identified as aliens. So, this is a particular thing the Government has to take note of and see to it that such types of prejudices are not created… (Interruptions)
श्री विजय गोयल : सर, मेरी एक बात सुनिए।…( व्यवधान )
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Goel, please do not interrupt. Please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
सभापति महोदय: गोयल जी, आप बैठिए।He is not yielding.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, the Government relied heavily on anti-Bengali sentiments to build up these extremist attitudes and the leaders have over-emphasised the language and the immigrant issues.
I have certain important postures to make to the Government. The first one is with respect to the adequacy of the security forces. Adequate security forces are not deployed and that is also the complaint of the State Governments. I also have here figures of the sanctioned strength and the actually deployed strength of the security forces in these North-East States. Time may not permit me to give all those figures but then you will find that in the aggregate on the Indo-Bangladesh border manned by BSF, deployment is below even the sanctioned strength. While the sanctioned strength is 56 Battalions, the deployment is only of 41 Battalions.
This also is inadequate. The State Governments have been asking for more and the Central Government is turning Nelson’s eye or deaf ear to the repeated requests of the Governments of these States. There is a Unified Command in Assam which is needed in all other places and the Central and the State forces have to work together.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Banatwalla, there shall not be any debate. You just make your point.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, these are the questions that I am putting. The Central and the State forces have to work in consonance with each other. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : You can only ask a clarificatory question.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Yes Sir. I have ten minutes which I shall take and I will not go beyond that.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Your time of ten minutes is over. Please conclude in two minutes.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : The question is this : What are the forces required or asked for by the State Governments and what has been provided and how many Companies and Battalions have been accordingly provided to each of these States including Assam? On the security-related expenditure, guidelines were decided somewhere in 1995. There is need to amend those guidelines. The question is this : What steps the Government is taking in order to amend these guidelines so that the States are properly reimbursed?
The matter is that there must be improved relations with neighbouring countries. What contacts have been established with the Governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar and whether any constant liaison is maintained with them? I want to know whether any pressure is being brought upon these Governments to see that there is no operation of insurgency from their soil against our country. When were the last contacts with respect to this made with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar in these matters?
There is also a need for counter-insurgency Cell or Force, I may say. Counter-insurgency has become an art or a science. You simply cannot leave it to the BSF or even to the Army. You need specialised and trained cadre in counter-insurgency.
SHRI PRAKASH MANI TRIPATHI (DEORIA): Sir, he is supposed to ask only clarifications.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Yes. He is asking the questions which the hon. Minister has to reply. Shri Banatwalla, please conclude. You have already taken 15 minutes.
SHRI G.M. BANATWALLA : Sir, let me complete my questions and then I will resume my seat.
What steps are being taken in order to build up such a Cell or a Force? How many major outfits of extremists are there and against how many outfits have you taken necessary action? The Government has made renewed appeals to the militants to come forward and have talks. What has been the response to these renewed appeals that have been made?
On the question of fencing the Indo-Bangladesh border, till February, 2000 fencing has been completed of 818.96 kilometres of the border. What about the remaining 2,421.50 kilometres? By what time are you expecting it to be completed? Has there been any monitoring with respect to the areas where fencing has been done and whether that fencing has contributed or not towards the improvement of the situation?
These security forces can help only in containing militancy but cannot ensure peace for which economic packages are required. But, here, the economic packages as announced by the hon. Prime Minister are a mere eyewash and there is no implementation thereon. What monitoring is being done for the purpose of implementation of those packages?
The situation is serious. There is a panic among the minorities. You look at the situation in Assam or in Tripura. The Government cannot have a complacent attitude.
Let them see to it that adequate forces are deployed, and the necessary steps, as I have been saying, are also taken. Thank you.
SHRI RAJKUMAR WANGCHA (ARUNACHAL EAST): Sir, the Statement of the hon. Home Minister itself indicates how serious the Government of India is in dealing with the problem of North-East in regard to insurgency. I belong to Arunachal Pradesh. My constituency is in the eastern part. We have sensitive borders with China and Myanmar. There is no indication in the Statement of the hon. Home Minister about the insurgency activities in the two districts of Arunachal Pradesh, that is, Tira and Changlang. During the recent years, there have been some insurgency activities in these two districts. In the last two or three months, the insurgency activities have gone up, and they have not been properly handled by the Government of India. We have been requesting them for deployment of more forces. Though the Government of India has invoked the Special Armed Forces Act, 1958 in these two districts, it is not that effective; kidnapping, killing and extortion are taking place there. In the last month itself, in my district, five or six people have been kidnapped; some people have been killed.
MR. CHAIRMAN : You have to ask questions.
SHRI RAJMUKAR WANGCHA : I am coming to that. What I personally feel is that the ceasefire which has been declared in Nagaland has certain lacunae. We feel that the ground rules of this ceasefire have to be rectified. After a ceasefire has been declared in the State of Nagaland, some of the insurgent groups, specially the IM faction, have penetrated into the neighbouring States and are creating a lot of problems. In my district, I am talking about the headquarters itself, after five o’clock, nobody comes out to the market. It is almost like a ghost town because people are being kidnapped; in the town itself, a few people have been killed. They are making their ground in all these areas. It will be very, very detrimental to the interests of the nation.
After crossing these two districts, you come to Lohit District which is having a border with China. We are hearing from certain sources that arms procurement is going on; a lot of extortion is going on. Even the Service people have to pay two percent of their salary or wages to them. So, I would like to know from the Government of India whether it is making any effort to bring peace in the North-East by taking into confidence the Governments of those States and also the Members of Parliament. Now, people keep on asking questions like, "What is the progress in the last three years?" The Government of India has declared a ceasefire, but no tangible result is there. Every time, when we go to our constituencies, people keep on asking questions like, "What is the progress? सीज़ फायर के एग्रीमेंट में क्या हुआ है, गवर्नमेंट ने क्या डिसीजन लिया है?" These are the questions which they keep on asking. During the tour to Nagaland by the Members of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, I was surprised to know from the Government of Nagaland that it was not taken into confidence when this ceasefire agreement was made with the insurgent groups.
Sir, why are the elected Governments not being taken into confidence? Why are the public representatives not being taken into confidence? We are totally in the dark. Therefore, for all practical purposes, the cease-fire has been limited to the insurgent groups and the security forces. The killings of the civilian people are continuing as usual. I have got a few data and statistics with me.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please ask your questions.
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE (JORHAT): Sir, we are from the affected areas.
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV (SILCHAR): Sir, we seek your indulgence in the matter. We have been waiting for the last 15 days for this discussion to take place… (Interruptions)
SHRI RAJKUMAR WANGCHA : Sir, our place has become so vulnerable that it has become a problem for us to visit our constituencies. But this issue has not been addressed by the Home Ministry.
Sir, there had been no mention about the places like Tira and Changlang. The Government employees there, have started giving two per cent of their salaries and wages to the insurgent groups. People are being killed but they are scared to report to the police. This is what has been told by the Superintendent of Police of the area. He admitted that there have been killings but nobody is coming forward to report the cases. There have been cases of kidnappings also but nobody is coming forward to register cases. This is the situation in Tira and Changlang. Other militant organisations also are coming up in the area. The Bodo militants are raising their heads in the other part of Arunachal Pradesh which is on the Capital side. The Papumpara area has been affected by insurgent groups.
Sir, some of the problems could have been solved at the initial stage itself. But because of the negligence of the Central Government, new problems are cropping up every now and then. We have been fighting this problem of insurgency for the last forty years. Instead of problems being solved, more insurgent groups are coming up. What is the reason for it? Why is the Government not taking this issue seriously? None of the prominent leaders has been taken into confidence while negotiating with the insurgent groups. Nobody has been taken into confidence. Neither have the Chief Ministers of the affected States nor any leader from the affected areas have been taken into confidence. I strongly feel that in any negotiation with the insurgent groups for solving this problem, the democratically elected people of the area would have to be taken into confidence. Otherwise, a wrong message would go to the people of this country.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude now.
SHRI RAJKUMAR WANGCHA : Sir, I would like to mention one or two more points here.
Sir, here we are only talking about solving the problem of insurgency. I have a strong belief in cease-fire. But it should be a meaningful cease-fire. The ground rules would have to be rectified. Proper ground rules would have to be framed. The State Governments and the public representatives would have to be taken into confidence. Only the bureaucrats would not help. The ground rules would have to be framed keeping in view the situation as obtaining in the various States.
Sir, arms and ammunition are being openly carried by people even after the declaration of the cease-fire. They are going to the villages and are extorting money. So, what is the use of such a cease-fire when such activities are going on unabated? Therefore, the cease-fire should be meaningful.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude.
SHRI RAJKUMAR WANGCHA : Sir, I would just like to take two more minutes. These activities have spread their wings to areas like the Karbi-anglong.
I know the area of Karbi Anglong well. People of Karbi Anglong have come on to the streets. For the last ten to fifteen years they have been demanding for an autonomous State within the State of Assam. It is a genuine demand. It is enshrined in the Constitution under article 244. Their demand has not been met by Government of India. Some groups have now come up. These are being encouraged by NSCN and are creating problems in this area. The Government of India should address all these problems with a view to solving them immediately.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR (DIBRUGARH): Sir, I have gone through the Statement of the hon. Home Minister. I am not going to dispute the figure he has quoted of the people killed because I am not a person to argue over the dead bodies.
MR. CHAIRMAN : You have to ask your questions.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR : I will definitely do that, Sir.
A lot more people have been killed. It is not a new thing. We, the representatives from the North-East, wonder as to why there is a strong secessionist movement in the North-East. The people’s representatives in the Parliament are always for national integration and unity of the country. One has to think that it is not simply a law and order problem. Even the Army Generals of the Unified Command have also made public statements saying that this problem cannot be controlled only by military action. The situation is becoming very serious and grave. One has to pay greater attention to the problem. If this goes on like this, one would not be surprised if the situation in this area will get worse than what we have Kashmir.
As Shri Banatwalla has mentioned, Constitutional functionaries have to be very careful when they say something in the media. They have to keep in mind that ours is a multiracial State where people belonging to every race and religion live. One has to be very conscious while making any statements. The Constitutional functionary there has said that two Districts of a State will merge with Bangladesh. Such reckless statements being issued by responsible people after this incident, is condemnable. It is not only the Hindi-speaking people who are being attacked there, other people too are affected. If you go through the newspaper, you will find that people are killed there irrespective of the fact whether they are linguistic minorities, religious minorities, or whether they belong to the majority groups. I do not want to go into the identities of the people killed by these outfits.
After this incident took place, the Head of the Government there appeared to have worsened the already fragile situation prevailing there by making a sectarian and chauvinistic appeal to the affected people. He aired his view publicly that attempts at ethnic cleansing of Biharis and the Hindi-speaking people would create a void in Assam which would be filled by a further influx of Bangladeshis. I would like to know if the Central Government knows about this statement.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): This is a responsible statement made by the Governor of the State, Sir.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR : Today, students’ organisations and people of Assam are observing Assam Bandh protesting the statement made by the Constitutional Head of the State. If responsible people make such reckless and irresponsible statements, how will the situation improve? I appeal to the Home Minister to check this.
श्री विजय गोयल : सभापति महोदय, इसे यहां डिस्कस नहीं किया जा सकता है। इसलिए इसे सदन की कार्यवाही से निकाला जाए। …( व्यवधान )
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : The Governor made a statement against Biharis. We have a right to discuss it.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The House cannot discuss the conduct of Governor unless there is a substantive Motion.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Unless there is a substantive Motion, you cannot discuss Governor’s conduct in the House.
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : We discussed the Romesh Bhandari issue. What is wrong in discussing it?
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Ghatowar, you ask your question please.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. ADVANI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, there can be no reference to the Governor without a proper Motion.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR: Sir, I am not blaming the Constitutional head. Let the hon. Home Minister find out and take corrective steps because we are for the national integrity of the country.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar, please ask the question.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR : Sir, on many a time, the State Governments of the North-Eastern region have given statements that they are not getting the cooperation of the Central Government in dealing with the insurgency problem there. Many of the insurgency groups are operating from the neighbouring friendly countries.
My question is whether the Government of India has taken any step to discuss this issue with the neighbouring friendly countries to contain this insurgency problem.
श्री विजय गोयल : सभापति महोदय, मैं असम गया था। वहां मालूम हुआ कि कांग्रेस पार्टी का उलफा से रिलेशनशिप है।…( व्यवधान )
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Vijay Goel, please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the speech of Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar.
(Interruptions) …* SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR : Sir, Shri Vijay Goel has visited Assam for a day but I live in that part of the country. I know what is the situation there.… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar, please conclude now.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR : Sir, I am concluding within a minute.
So, we would request the Central Government to kindly set up an Inquiry by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court and find out who are the parties, who are the people linked with the extremists organisations. We are always against such activities. We are not habitual to play politics on the dead bodies of the innocent people.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Kindly confine yourself to the Calling Attention.
SHRI PABAN SINGH GHATOWAR : Sir, it is high time for the Government of India to think whether this whole problem is political or economic. Let the Government of India think on how to address the political and economic situation there.
Sir, unemployment among youth is one of the main reasons for the insurgency activities in the North-East. Has the Government of India any programme to deal with this?
Sir, we are not fighting a losing battle. We are fighting the battle for the unified and nationalist India. So, I appeal to all the political parties to rise above their political thinking and think for solving the North-Eastern problems. Otherwise, it will be too late to address the problems of the North-Eastern parts of the country.
डॉ. रघुवंश प्रसाद सिंह (वैशाली):सभापति महोदय, पूर्वोत्तर राज्य जल रहे हैं। उनकी क्या स्थिति है, मैं उसके बारे में संक्षेप में कहना चाहूंगा। १५ दिन पहले यह सवाल उठा था कि गृह मंत्री जी स्टेटमेंट देंगे। यह सरकार कितनी संवेदनशील है, इसी बात से मालूम होता है। इसके पहले कोई ध्यान नहीं दिया था लेकिन इस सरकार ने अपना वक्तव्य कब दिया, जब आसन से ध्यानाकर्षण प्रस्ताव मंजूर हुआ। लोग मारे जा रहे हैं। अपहरण और एक्सटौर्शन हो रहा है। एक्सटौर्शन नहीं देने से हत्यायें हो रही हैं। वहां आतंकवाद का माहौल हो गया है। केन्द्रीय सरकार कहती है कि यूनिफाइड कमांड होगी। आतंकवाद है, इसे राजनीति से ऊपर समझना चाहिए।
आज मैं गृह मंत्री जी से स्पेसफिक सवाल पूछना चाहता हूं कि क्या आपने वहां जांच-पड़ताल कराई है। वहां उग्रवाद उल्फा आदि वभिन्न नामों से फैला है, नगालैंड में अलग, त्रिपुरा में अलग और अन्य राज्यों में अलग नाम से फैला है कहीं मुइबावाला और कहीं खपलांगवाला नाम से उग्रवाद है। वहां इस तरह के नामों से उग्रवाद है। यदि केन्द्र और राज्य सरकार द्वारा मिलकर वहां यूनिफाइड कमांड चलाई जाती तो आतंकवाद का मुकाबला हो सकता था। इसलिए हमारा प्रथम आग्रह है कि केन्द्र सरकार अपनी जिम्मेदारी राज्य पर और राज्य अपनी जिम्मेदारी केन्द्र पर फेंककर वहां हत्या, एक्सटोर्शन और मारकाट के सिलसिले को जारी न रखे, बल्कि इसे बंद करे।
सभापति महोदय, क्या इन्होंने जांच कराई हैं कि वहां के उग्रवादियों का किसी राजनीतिक दल से लगाव या संरक्षण तो नहीं है या उनके साथ किसी का कोई सोफ्ट कॉर्नर है। वहां आम जनता का उग्रवादियों के लिए सोफ्ट क़ॉर्नर नहीं हैं। हम वहां गये थे, हमने उनसे जानकारी ली है। वहां की जनता का समर्थन उग्रवादियों और आतंकवादियों के पक्ष में नहीं है। वह उनके खिलाफ है। लेकिन लोग लाचार हैं। वहां गरीब आदमी, कमजोर तबका उनका क्या कर सकता है। क्या वहां कोई राजनीतिक दल या केन्द्र सरकार का कोई हिस्सा उनके समर्थन में है या उनका राज्य सरकार के साथ कोई तालमेल चल रहा है। हम पूछना चाहते हैं कि अलग-अलग जो घटनाएं घटी हैं, उनके बारे में बतायें।
सभापति महोदय, सूर्योदय सबसे पहले पूर्वोत्तर में होता है लेकिन विकास की रोशनी वहां सबसे बाद में जाती है। वहां उग्रवाद का एक कारण यह भी है। गरीब आदमी, लौहारगिरी, बढ़ईगिरी, दस्तकारी करने वाले मजदूर लोग वहां जाते थे। पुराने जमाने में कहा जाता था, लोग कहते थे कि वहां तंत्र विद्या बहुत ऊंची चढ़ी हुई थी। वहां आदमी को भेड़ बनाकर रख लेते थे। कभी-कभी लोग चर्चा करते हैं कि वहां जो लोग जाते हैं, लौटते नहीं हैं, लोग कहते थे, उन्हें भेड़ बनाकर रख लेते थे। वहां की तंत्र विद्या जबरदस्त थी। पहले भेड़ बनाना और अब भेड़ को काटने वाला काम हो रहा है। इस बारे में गृह मंत्री जी जवाब देंगे। वहां की राज्य सरकार ने ४० कम्पनियां मांगी थीं, इन्होंने २७ भेजी हैं। यू.एफ. सरकार ने पैसे की मदद करने के लिए कहा था, इन्होंने क्या मदद की, बतायें। हमारा इनसे आग्रह है कि पूर्वोत्तर के सातों-आठों राज्यों की समस्याओं के संबंध में क्यों नहीं सदन में एक बार बहस हो जाती। वहां के विकास, राजनीति और आर्थिक नीति पर यहां बहस होनी चाहिए। हम आसन से आग्रह करेंगे कि पूर्वोत्तर की समस्या पर विचार करने के लिए अलग से नियम १९३ के तहत चर्चा होनी चहिए, नहीं तो वहां कोई सुधार नहीं होगा। वह सीमावर्ती इलाका है। वहां उग्रवादियों के दस्तों का प्रशिक्षण, आश्रय पड़ौसी देशो भूटान और म्यांमार आदि में होता है। उग्रवादी पड़ौसी देशों में जाकर रहते हैं। केन्द्र सरकार ने इस पर क्या कार्रवाई की। वहां बॉर्डर पार के आतंकवाद का मुकाबला करना राज्य सरकार के बस की बात नहीं हैं। वहां पड़ौसी राज्यों में उग्रवाद पनप रहा है और उग्रवादी ताकतवर हो रहे हैं। गृह मंत्री जी कहेंगे वहां शांति है। लेकिन वहां शांति नहीं है। वहां एक्सटोर्शन हो रहा था, मारकाट हो रही थी, वह थोड़ी रुक गई है। वह यही बतायेंगे। लेकिन वह वहां की राज्य सरकारों को कान्फीडेन्स में नहीं लेते। वहां जो मुख्य मंत्री बने हुए हैं, कहते हैं कि केन्द्र सरकार हमसे नहीं पूछती, उनकी अलग से बातचीत होती है। इस तरह से वहां हत्याएं हो रही हैं, अलगाववाद बढ़ रहा है, आतंकवाद बढ़ रहा है। वहां बिहार से जो लोग गये, बंगाल तथा उत्तर प्रदेश आदि राज्यों से जो लोग गये, उन्हें भाषा के आधार पर भगा रहे हैं, मार रहे हैं। जो लोग वहां मारे गये, उनके लिए केन्द्र सरकार ने क्या कार्रवाई की। गृह मंत्री जी बतायें उन्होंने कौन सी कार्रवाई की। वहां नरसंहार की अलग-अलग की घटनाएं हो रही हैं। कहीं १०, कहीं २० लोगों को जंगलों में घेरकर मारा गया, गांव के लोगों को मारा गया, वहां अपहरण हुए, इन्होंने उसके लिए कौन सी कार्रवाई की, कौन सी मदद की। जो मारे गये, उन्हें क्या मदद दी। यह इस बारे में साफ-साफ बतायें, नहीं तो हमारा आरोप है कि केन्द्र सरकार अक्षम है, आतंकवादियों का मुकाबला करने में और हत्याएं रोकने में असमर्थ है तथा देश की आंतरिक और बाहय सुरक्षा करने में विफल है, हम ऐसा समझते हैं। यह कहते हैं कि स्थिति नियंत्रण में हैं, वहां और कितने हजार आदमी मारे जायेंगे, फिर कहते हैं कि स्थिति नियंत्रण में है।
ये कहते हैं कि स्थिति नियंत्रण में है। इनका स्थिति को नापने का मीज़रमेंट क्या है? कितने आदमी मारे जाएंगे तो नियंत्रण में है और कितने आदमी बचाएंगे तो अनियंत्रण है? ये क्या बता रहे हैं? कहते हैं कि स्थिति नियंत्रण में है वहां लोग घायल हो रहे हैं, घर छोड़कर भाग रहे हैं। यह राष्ट्रीय अंखंडता का सवाल मैं उठा रहा हूं। इस सरकार के चलते राष्ट्रीय अखंडता भी खतरे में है और मैं सरकार को चुनौती देता हूं कि सरकार स्थिति से मुकाबला नहीं कर रही है, भाग रही है और जाने अनजाने किसी भी रूप में आतंकवाद और अलगाववाद तथा अशांति को बढ़ावा दे रही है। इसलिए नॉर्थ ईस्ट में, गोहाटी और अन्य स्थानों से लोग भाग रहे हैं, पलायन कर रहे हैं। सरकार इस बारे में बताए नहीं तो हम इनको ठंडा करने के लिए भी तैयार हैं, आपस में हम सब विपक्ष एक हैं।
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE (JORHAT): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I need some specific information from the hon. Home Minister.
Certain happenings in the series of incidents that took place in the North-East, particularly in Assam remain unexplained and some salient points are missing from the hon. Home Minister’s statement. I want to ask those questions now.
First of all, incidents of killing took place between 22nd October and 7th December this year that involved eight cases of group killing allegedly by terrorists, in a span of 46 days, taking a toll of 102 dead and injuring many. My first question is this. One can understand that the first two or three cases may catch the Government off guard. But having seen the pattern of killing, targeting mostly the Hindi-speaking people, the Government should have been alert and immediately identified the vulnerable areas and organised at least mobile patrol.
I give you one instance for the specific information of the hon. Home Minister. One incident that occurred at Nasadiya-Balijan-Kukurmara Reserve Forest area led to killing of 30 people and injuring 16. This far-flung area is predominantly inhibited by Hindi-speaking people who are petty traders. They were attacked while returning in three trucks from the weekly market at Teju at Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The Government should have anticipated this and no alert administration could miss those vulnerable points inhernt in such a scenario. Even the attackers need some preparation in advance to intercept and ambush three truck loads of people on a fixed weekly market day. But it was not done. Had they taken some action, the Government could have saved those people. So, I accuse the Assam Government for failure to save so many lives. The Central Government is also equally accountable since it did not do anything except sending one or two Joint Secretaries on a shuttling errand between Guwahati and New Delhi.
My second point is this. The hon. Minister’s statement lacks focus on one particular point. It was an attack not only on the Hindi-speaking people, but it was an attack on the composite character of Assamese society. If this composite fabric disintegrates, there will be more hatred, more conflicts and more bloodshed. It is known to the Home Ministry that there were chauvinistic attacks on the social harmony in the past too.
In 1960 and 1972, a section of people attacked the linguistic minority. In 1983 the same chauvinistic forces wearing communal colour attacked and massacred people at Nelli. Nearly 1500 people were killed. Whenever these linguistic and religious communities are attacked, the attack by these forces is directed on the national Parties. Other national Parties in Assam may testify it. It is a part of the history, I am sorry to say, that the AGP, which is ruling Assam for the second time, is the full manifestation of this chauvinism. The Assam Government now condemns the terrorists for boycotting the Republic Day and Independence Day but the AGP itself had resorted to the same till they came to power in 1986. Now, they sermonise Assam on the national mainstream. I am not saying that the AGP Government is engineering these killings. Far from that. But a climate of violence created by them since 1979 and heightened, since 1998, by Govt. backed secret killings is responsible for the current spate of violence.
श्री विनय कटियार (फैज़ाबाद):अध्यक्ष महोदय, ये लोग (कांग्रेस) तो सरकार में रहते हुए कराते रहे। उल्फा का जन्म आपके समय में हुआ, बोडोलैंड का जन्म आपके समय में हुआ। ये सारी जितनी भी आतंकवादी फोर्स हैं ये सब आप लोगों की देन हैं। ये सब कांग्रेस की देन हैं। आपके कारण ही यह हो रहा हैं। पंजाब में आतंकवाद आपके कारण शुरू हुआ, कश्मीर में आतंकवाद आपकी वजह से शुरू हुआ। पूर्वोंत्तर राज्यों में जो आतंकवाद का जन्म हुआ है वह भी सब कांग्रेस की देन है। इन सबकी जड़ में कांग्रेस ही है।…( व्यवधान )
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : You should know the facts first. Do not make statements while sitting here.… (Interruptions)
श्री विनय कटियार : अध्यक्ष महोदय, इनको जरूर धक्का लगेगा, लेकिन धक्का देने का काम भी इन्हीं कांग्रेस के लोगों ने किया। पूरे देश में इन्हीं लोगों ने आतंकवाद फैलवाया। सब काम की जड़ में कांग्रेस ही है।…( व्यवधान )
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV (SILCHAR): Sir, the hon. Member from BJP is making an allegation. I hope the hon. Minister while replying to the debate tell whether we are guilty or not. We expect the Home Minister to tell whether we are guilty or not and if we are guilty, we accept the punishment. … (Interruptions)
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : Sir, I accuse the Government of Assam not only of failure to protect the composite fabric of society in Assam but of destroying the socio-cultural milieu in the State. I accuse the Central Government also of abetting and allowing the collapse of this society.
I now come to my last point for clarification. Why does the Government not spell out the strategy how to handle and end terrorism? Since the Government has alleged that this spate of killings is the handiwork of the terrorists, then what is its solution? I may tell you Shri Katiyar, that the Congress Party is the worst sufferer. Already 10,000 Congress workers have been killed by the terrorists. With the connivance of the AGP Government, already 10,000 workers have been killed by the terrorists not only during their first tenure but before and after that tenure also.… (Interruptions)
I am on the last point. We are the affected persons. We know how our hearts pain. It is known to all that the Central Government headed by Shri Chandra Shekhar dismissed the then State Government for its nexus with ULFA. The hon. Member is now talking like this, as though he pretends that he either does not know it or he is ignorant.… (Interruptions)
श्री विनय कटियार : अध्यक्ष महोदय, लिट्टे को किसने खड़ा किया, लिट्टे को ट्रेनिंग किसने दी, मैं बताना चाहता हूं कि लिट्टे को ट्रेनिंग कांग्रेस ने दी, लिट्टे को कांग्रेस ने खड़ा किया। देश में हड़ताल आपने कराई।…( व्यवधान )
15.00 hrs. SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE:Sir, in 1991, after the General elections… (Interruptions)
श्री विनय कटियार : कमीशन भी आपने बनाया है। …( व्यवधान )आप तो कमीशन में कमीशन खाते हो। …( व्यवधान )
MR. CHAIRMAN : Nothing will go on record.
(Interruptions) … *श्री सत्यव्रत चतुर्वेदी (खजुराहो):सभापति जी, सुप बोले तो बोले यह छलनी भी बोल रही है।
…( व्यवधान )
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : Is it not the fact that the Central Government headed by Shri Chandra Shekhar dismissed the Government of Assam in 1991 for nexus with the terrorists? I think Shri Katiyar does not know this. Again in 1991, after the elections on the day the Congress formed the Government in Assam, the terrorists defied it by kidnapping 16 officials of ONGC and senior Government officials including one senior IAS officer. After killing one of the hostages, they left his dead body near the residence of the then Chief Minister, Shri Hiteswar Sakia in Sivasagar District… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Your name is not in the list. Under the rules, you cannot be permitted.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : Sir, the Home Minister should know that in 1996 General Elections, two Congress candidates including a Cabinet Minister, were gunned down to terrorise the voters… (Interruptions). Yet we deisre that, along with stern action, Govt. should explore ways for a dialogure with the terrorists.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Handique, please sit down now. You should listen to the Minister also. You have asked so many questions.
* Not Recorded SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE : Sir, you give me more time… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Dr. Rongpi, please take your seat. Your name is not there.
DR. JAYANT RONGPI (AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT-ASSAM): Sir, I have given a notice.
MR. CHAIRMAN: But your name is not in the list. Under the rules, you cannot be permitted.
DR. JAYANT RONGPI : Sir, I have given a notice.
MR. CHAIRMAN: But your name is not here. Only five Members can be included.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: You please hear the Minister.
… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please take your seat. Under the rules, you cannot be permitted.
गृह मंत्री (श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी) :सभापति जी, आज की इस चर्चा को, इस बहस को सुनकर मैं उन माननीय सदस्यों की बात से सहमत हूं कि अच्छा होगा, अगर हम उत्तर पूर्वी राज्यों की स्थिति जिसमें इंसर्जेंसी या विकास की समस्याएं वगैरह हैं, उन सब पर कभी सवार्ंगीण तौर पर बहस कर पायें। दूसरे सदन में इस पर पिछले सत्र में बहस हुई थी लेकिन इस सदन में नहीं हुई। यह स्वाभाविक था कि जब पिछले दिनों की हत्याओं के बारे में एक कालिंग अटैंशन स्वीकार हुआ, तो उस पर नियम के अनुसार पांच सदस्यों के नाम ही आ सकते हैं। बाकी सदस्य जो वहां के प्रतनधि हैं, जैसे रंगपी जी हैं या और बहुत प्रमुख लोग यहां बैठे हुए हैं, जिन्होंने उस दिन जब आसाम में हत्यायें हुई थीं, उस संदर्भ में सवाल उठाया था।
लेकिन आज जब यह सवाल कॉलिग अटैन्शन के रूप में बाकायदा आया तो सबके मन में अपने-अपने विचार खड़े हुए। अब अध्यक्ष जी के ऊपर यह निर्भर है कि इस सत्र में हम बहस कर सकें या नहीं, अन्यथा अगले सत्र में करनी पड़ेगी। लेकिन मैं इस बात से पूरी तरह सहमत हूं कि आज पांचों सदस्यों ने अगर कोई बात कही और उसमें केन्द्र सरकार, प्रदेश सरकार, किसी की आलोचना की तो उस आलोचना का कारण उनके मन की व्यथा है, उनके मन की पीड़ा है। आखिर मैंने जब वक्तव्य बनाया तो वक्तव्य बनाते हुए आठों प्रदेशों मे से एक-एक की चर्ची नहीं की, मूल सवाल में, कॉलिंग अटैन्शन में नॉर्थ-ईस्ट का उल्लेख था, इसलिए पूरे नॉर्थ-ईस्ट के संदर्भ में मैंने कहा कि वहां जो आठ प्रदेश हैं, उन आठ प्रदेशों में से तीन स्टेट्स के बारे में हमको बहुत चिन्ता है और उनमें से भी एक के बारे में अति चिन्ता है। लेकिन उसका अर्थ यह नहीं है कि बाकी स्थानों पर कोई हिंसा ही नहीं हो रही है। हां, मैं मानता हूं कि अरुणाचल में जनरली स्थिति ठीक है और तिरप चांगलान के दो जिलों को छोड़ कर, इन दो जिलों में निश्चित रूप से पिछले दिनों में स्थिति बिगड़ी है, हमने उसे डिस्टब्र्ड एरिया करके घोषित भी किया हुआ है, लेकिन जिस प्रकार अरुणाचल है, उसी प्रकार मैं मानता हूं कि सिक्किम, मेघालय और मिजोरम भी है - ये चार प्रदेश ऐसे हैं जिनमें मोटे तौर पर वैसी स्थिति नहीं है जैसी बाकी स्टेट्स में है, बाकी चार में निश्चित रूप से, जिनमें नागालैंड में मैं इसलिए कम गिनता हूं क्योंकि नागालैंड में पिछले तीन सालों से सीज़फायर का ऐग्रीमैंट है जिसके कारण हिंसा कुछ कम हुई है, ऐक्सटार्शन कम नहीं हुआ है। ऐक्सटार्शन है, अपराध है लेकिन हत्या, हिंसा कुछ कम है। कोई कह सकता है कि ऐक्सटार्शन को आप रोक नहीं पाए, ऐक्सटार्शन को रोकना चाहिए, नहीं रोक पाते हैं तो क्या फायदा है। … (Interruptions) I am not yielding. As a result of that attack, you may be aware, what kind of stand we had taken against NSCN(IN) in that meeting. कुल मिला कर मैं मानता हूं कि चार प्रदेश हिंसा से प्रभावित हैं, चार प्रदेश अपेक्षाकृत हिंसा से मुक्त हैं और इन चार प्रदेशों में, मैं कम से कम उनमें से नहीं हूं जो कहे कि ऐसा प्रदेश की सरकार के कारण है क्योंकि इनसर्जैंसी की स्थिति ऐसी है जो लॉ एंड आर्डर से ऊपर उठ जाती है और इसीलिए अगर हमारे बनातवाला जी कहते हैं कि त्रिपुरा में पुलिस काम नहीं कर रही, मैं नहीं मानता। मैं मानता हूं कि वहां की सरकार उसे रोकने की प्रामाणिकता से कोशिश कर रही है लेकिन उसमें उनको कठिनाइयां आती हैं। इसलिए किसी ने कहीं पर यह भी सवाल उठाया होगा कि विलेज पुलिस होनी चाहिए। हम इस पर विचार कर रहे हैं कि क्या हो सकता है। लेकिन कुल मिला कर त्रिपुरा की पुलिस सक्रिय है। हां, अलबत्ता मैं यह उन प्रदेशों को जरूर कहता हूं कि हिन्दुस्तान में एक प्रदेश ऐसा है जहां किसी समय इनसर्जैंसी पीक पर थी, मलिटैंसी इतनी भयंकर हो गई थी कि १९९० के आरंभ में, १९९२-९३ में कभी हम पंजाब जाते थे तो लगता था कि शायद यहां नार्मैलसी लौटेगी ही नहीं, चिन्ता होती थी। लेकिन अगर वहां नार्मैलसी लौट आई है और आज पंजाब पूरी तरह मलिटैंसी से मुक्त हुआ तो उसका श्रेय जहां सेना को देना होगा, पैरा-मलिट्री फोर्सेस को देना होगा, उसका श्रेय वहां की सरकार को भी देना होगा, वहां की जनता को भी देना होगा। लेकिन मैं हमेशा कहा करता हूं कि ऐसी स्थिति में वहां राज्य की पुलिस की बहुत बड़ी भूमिका होती है। यह बात मैं आठों प्रदेशों में जितनी राज्य सरकारें हैं, उनको कहा करता हूं।
बनातवाला जी ने एक सवाल कहा कि ऐडीक्वेसी ऑफ पैरा-मलिट्री फोर्सेस पर्याप्त है या नहीं। फिर उन्होंने उदाहरण दिया कि सैंक्शन्ड स्ट्रैन्थ इतनी है लेकिन कम्पनियां इतनी हैं। एक जानकारी होनी चाहिए कि पैरा-मलिट्री फोर्सेस की सैंक्शन्ड स्ट्रैन्थ खास कर इन एरियाज़ में इंडो-बंगलादेश बार्डर के हिसाब से है।
वह काउंटर इन्सरजेंसी के लिए नहीं है। बोर्डर पर जो फोर्सेज होनी चाहिए थी, उनको हमको काउंटर इन्सरजेंसी पर लगाना पड़ता है, इन्सरजेंसी का लेवल ऐसा हो गया है। लेकिन कुल मिलाकर मैं आपको बता सकता हूं कि आज उत्तर पूर्वी राज्यों में पैरा मलिट्री फोर्सेज की १२८ कम्पनियां असम में हैं, ३४ कम्पनियां नागालैंड में हैं, ७४ कम्पनियां मणिपुर में हैं, ८८ कम्पनियां त्रिपुरा में हैं। हां, अरुणाचल प्रदेश और मेघालय में १२-१२ कम्पनियां हैं। इतना लेवल ऑफ पैरा मलिट्री फोर्सेज लगाने के बाद भी कोई कहे कि इनएडीक्वेसी है तो हमारे पास कुल मिलाकर जो पैरा मलिट्री फोर्सेज हैं और जम्मू-कश्मीर की जो स्थिति है, उसमें लगता है कि पैरा मलिट्री फोर्सेज और बढ़ानी चाहिए। इसे बढ़ाने की दिशा में भी गृह मंत्रालय वित्त मंत्रालय से लगातार कोशिश में लगा हुआ है और उन्होंने कुछ सैंक्शन भी किया है।
आपका यह कहना सही है कि यहां जो उग्रवादी कार्रवाई करते हैं, उनको अगर सेना, पैरा मलिट्री फोर्सेज और पुलिस परश्यू करते हैं तो वे पड़ोस के देशों में चले जाते हैं और वहां जाकर आश्रय ले लेते हैं। उनमें से भूटान प्रमुख है। मैं सदन को बता सकता हूं कि इस विषय में लगातार भूटान से बात होती रही है और शायद आपको सुनकर कुछ संतोष होगा कि भूटान ने अपनी विधान सभा में औपचारिक रूप से प्रस्ताव पारित करके कहा है कि इनको हम यहां पर शरण नहीं देंगे, इनके खिलाफ कार्रवाई होनी चाहिए। लेकिन कार्रवाई कब हो, कैसे हो, इस विषय में लगातार हम भूटान की सरकार से बातचीत कर रहे हैं। इसी प्रकार से म्यांमार के बारे में मैं बता सकता हूं कि म्यांमार ने एक बार कार्रवाई की भी है। उनको भी कुछ उसके कारण कैजुअलटी सफर करनी पड़ी, लेकिन उन्होंने इन उग्रवादियों के खिलाफ कार्रवाई की और कइयों को खदेड़कर हमारे यहां भेज दिया, जिससे यहां पर उनके खिलाफ कार्रवाई हो सकी। बंगलादेश और नेपाल से भी हमने बात की है। कोई ऐसा पड़ोसी देश नहीं है, जिससे हम लगातार सम्पर्क में न हों, उनसे बातचीत न कर रहे हों और उनको इस बात का अहसास न दिला रहे हों कि आतंकवादी आज हमको परेशान कर रहे हैं, लेकिन इनको अगर आपने शरण दी, आपने आश्रय दिया या इनको वहां पर कैम्प बनाकर ट्रेनिंग देने की अनुमति दे दी या इजाजत दे दी तो उसका परिणाम कल आपको भी भुगतना पड़ेगा। उनमें से बहुत सारे लोग धीरे-धीरे इस बारे में सचेत हो रहे हैं।
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY (BERHAMPORE, WEST BENGAL): Who are masterminding the innocent killings of the Hindi-speaking people?… (Interruptions)
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी:मैं हाण्डिक जी से पूरी तरह से सहमत हूं। यह केवल हिन्दी स्पीकिंग लोगों के ऊपर आक्रमण नहीं है, यह असम के मूल चरित्र प्रवृति पर आक्रमण है ताकि यहां से बाकी लोग निकल जायें, हट जायें। यह जो एक प्रकार से षड़यंत्र है, उस षड़यंत्र को समझकर उसके बारे में कार्रवाई करनी चाहिए।
यहां पर बताया गया कि बिहारी और असमिया का सवाल है, मैं इसको नहीं मानता हूं। लोग यह भी जानते हैं कि वे लोग चाहे हिन्दीभाषी होंगे, लेकिन उनमें से बहुत सारे १००-१०० साल से वहां रहते हैं और १०० साल से रहने वाला असमिया हो गया। …( व्यवधान )
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY (BERHAMPORE, WEST BENGAL): But the Chief Minister has described it as an ISI activity. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Choudhary, please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी:जहां तक आई.एस.आई. का सवाल है, जहां पर ऐसी परिस्थिति पैदा होती है, आई.एस.आई. उसका लाभ उठाने की पूरी कोशिश करती है और फिर आगे बढ़कर वह भी अपना योगदान उसमें करती है। इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं है, लेकिन हम कम से कम इस बात के बारे में सावधान हैं। असम की सरकार के बारे में मैंने आपको बताया कि एक अधिकारी यहां से भेजा गया है, हमारे एक प्रमुख जोइंट सैक्रेटरी हैं, जो नोर्थ ईस्ट को कई वर्षों से देखते हैं और उसके बारे में पूरा ज्ञान रखते हैं। उन्होंने जाकर वहां पर जो स्ट्रेटेजी मीटिंग हुई, उसमें भाग लेकर सारे कदम उठाने का निर्णय किया और उसके तुरन्त बाद आप यहां पर आमंत्रित किये गये।…( व्यवधान )
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV (SILCHAR): It is high time that you visit there once. This is our appeal to you. You yourself should visit there once.
SHRI L.K. ADVANI: I have no hesitation. I will go there.… (Interruptions)
उसके तुरंत बाद आठ तारीख को यहां पर वहां के मुख्य मंत्री जी को, वहां के राज्यपाल जी को, चीफ सेक्रेटरी को, डी.जी.पी. को तथा अन्य अधिकारियों को आमंत्रित किया गया। उनके साथ होम मनिस्ट्री, डिफेंस मनिस्ट्री, डिफेंस मनिस्टर स्वयं थे तथा चीफ आर्मी स्टाफ भी उपस्थित थे। इन सबकी एक उच्च स्तरीय मीटिंग हुई और यह योजना बनाई।
श्री प्रियरंजन दासमुंशी (रायगंज) : यहां उनको न बुलाकर आप स्वयं गुवाहाटी जाएं और वहां उनको विश्वास में लें।
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी: मैं जाऊंगा। किसी ने यहां सीज फायर का जिक्र किया और कहा कि इसके परिणाम अच्छे नहीं निकले हैं। मैं मानता हूं कि जो पोलटिकल सोल्यूशन है वहां की समस्या का, उस पर हम आगे नहीं बढ़ पाए हैं। लेकिन वहां पर तीन सालों तक ऐसी शांति उत्पन्न हो कि मलिटेंट्स स्वयं सोचें कि सीज फायर बनी रहनी चाहिए, असम में नियंत्रण है और उनका वैस्टेड इंटरेस्ट डवलप हो जाए, यह स्वयं में एक उपलब्धि है, इसको कम नहीं आंकना चाहिए। यूं तो सीज फायर को तोड़ने में कोई दिक्कत नहीं है। आखिर ग्राउंड रूल्स बने हैं, उनका उल्लंघन करने के लिए कोई कहे कि हम सीज फायर तोड़ देते हैं, ऐसा कर सकते हैं और कई बार ग्राउंड रूल्स टूटते हैं। आखिर एक्सटोर्शन करना ग्राउंड रूल्स का वायलेशन है। हम जानते हैं कि एक्सटोर्शन हो रहा है, लेकिन हिंसा नहीं है, हत्या नहीं है, यह भी एक उपलब्धि है। इसीलिए धीरे-धीरे हम इस दिशा में आगे बढ़ रहे हैं।
मैं यह बात साफ करना चाहूंगा, यहां पर यह भी उल्लेख किया गया कि वहां किसी संवैधानिक अधिकारी ने लोगों को उकसाया। मैंने वह सारा बयान पढ़ा, जिसमें इसका जिक्र है। कई लोगों ने कहा कि हमारे पास हथियार नहीं है, उनके पास हथियार होते हैं, यह उदाहरण दिया गया। पिछले दिनों असम में उल्फा के मिलीटेंट्स की साख इतनी घटी है और वे काफी बदनाम हुए हैं। बदनामी का प्रमुख कारण था कि जब भारत अपने दुश्मन के साथ कारगिल का युद्ध लड़ रहा था तब उल्फा के लोगों ने कहा कि हमें दुश्मन को समर्थन देना चाहिए। ऐसा एक बयान भी निकला था। इसके कारण उनकी प्रतिष्ठा और भी घटी है। सारे असम में उनके खिलाफ नाराजगी फैल गई। नतीजा यह हुआ कि अगर कहीं कोई उल्फा मिलीटेंट नजर अथे था, उसके पास हथियार होते थे तो गांव वाले घेर कर ऐसे बीसियों लोगों को थानों में ले गए बीसियों को पुलिस के सुपुर्द कर दिया। इस प्रकार की घटना का उल्लेख उस अधिकारी ने किया, यह सही है कि उनके पास हथियार हैं और हमारे कठिनाई है, लेकिन हिम्मत के साथ आप अपने को डिफेंड करिए, आप अपनी रक्षा करिए और रक्षा के दौरान बिना हथियार के, लाठी से या पत्थर आदि से उनको पराजित करिए, जैसा आपकी जनता ने किया है तो बहुत अच्छा होगा।
SHRI TARUN GOGOI (KALIABOR): The Governor has appealed as a Bihari to other Bihari communities. It has appeared in the Hindustan Times. … (Interruptions) He has appealed as a Bihari. This is my appeal. The Editorial of of the Hindustan Timesalso criticised the Governor’s sectarian attitude. I am not talking of the magazine. … (Interruptions) In the Hindustan Times, it has appeared that the Governor has appealed as a Bihari. That is why I am objecting to it. … (Interruptions)
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY : The Governor has stated that insurgency has ended. But now we are witnessing terrorism. What is the semantical nuance between the two?… (Interruptions)
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी:मैं नहीं जानता, शायद आप हिन्दुस्तान टाइम्स का जिक्र कर रहे होंगे।
श्री रघुनाथ झा (गोपालगंज): सारे बिहारी मारे जा रहे हैं और ये मखौल उड़ा रहे हैं…( व्यवधान )
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी:सभापति जी, मेरे पास असम का प्रमुख अंग्रेजी दैनिक सेंटीनल है। इसी विषय को लेकर उसका सम्पादकीय मेरे पास है, जिसमें उन्होंने स्ट्राँग्ली डिफेंड करते हुए कहा है-
"What is so objectionable about telling anyone that it should also be their own concern to ensure their own self-defence as best as they can since the Security Forces obviously cannot guard each hectare of Assam’s territory nor protect every single individual." … (Interruptions)
SHRI L.K. ADVANI: It has been unfair to him to say that he provoked the parochial sentiments, anything of that kind. I have seen the statement and this editorial coming from the leading daily of Guwahati…… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : The Minister is replying, please do not interrupt.
… (Interruptions)
श्री रघुनाथ झा : बिहारी को मार रहे हैं।…( व्यवधान )
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी:मैं इस बात का भी जिक्र करूंगा क्योंकि बिना उनका नाम लिये हुए उनकी ओर संकेत किया गया, इसीलए मैंने अपनी जवाबदारी समझी कि मैं उनसे स्वयं बात करके पूछू और वह मुझे मिलने आये और मुझे आकर पूरी बात बताई और सारे अपने स्टेटमेंट्स दिये। उसके आधार पर मैं कह सकता हूं कि उन्होंने जो कुछ भी कहा, जिसका समर्थन मुख्य मंत्री ने भी किया है, मुख्य मंत्री ने कहा कि उन्होंने कोई गलत बात नहीं कही है, उन्होंने बिल्कुल उचित कहा है और इसीलिए मैं समझता हूं कि उनके ऊपर इस प्रकार का आक्षेप लगाना सर्वथा निराधार है।…( व्यवधान )
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Adhir Chowdhary, please take your seat. Why are you disturbing when the Minister is replying?
… (Interruptions)
श्री लाल कृष्ण आडवाणी:मैं कहना चाहूंगा कि इस वर्ष के आरम्भ में माननीय प्रधान मंत्री जी ने स्वयं शिलौंग में सारे उत्तर पूर्वी राज्यों, प्रदेशों के मुख्य मंत्रियों और राज्यपालों का एक सम्मेलन बुलाया था और उस सम्मेलन में सब पहलुओं पर विचार-विमर्श होने के बाद कई लम्बे-चौड़े निर्णय हुए। आज होम मनिस्ट्री और पीएमओ दोनों प्रति महीने उसको मोनीटर करते रहते हैं कि कितना इम्पलीमेंट हुआ और कितना इम्पलीमेंट होना बाकी है। मुझे विश्वास है कि जिस प्रकार की एप्रोच लेकर केन्द्रीय सरकार चली है, नॉर्थ ईस्ट में जितने स्टेट्स हैं, उनमें इंसर्जेंसी का भी मुकाबला हम कर सकेंगे और डैवलपमेंट के बारे में भी हम समुचित ध्यान दे सकेंगे।
SHRI SONTOSH MOHAN DEV : We are not happy with the reply of the hon. Home Minister. … (Interruptions) Particularly, he is protecting a Constitutional Head who was instigating the Biharis that they should protect themselves against the ultras. … (Interruptions) We want the Minister to visit Assam. … (Interruptions)
1522 hours (At this stage, Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev and some other hon. Members left the House.) 15.24 hrs.