Lack of telecom infra hampering counter-insurgency operations in Assam: State govt

According to the Assam government, lack of mobile telecommunication infrastructure in sensitive areas of the state was "hampering" counter-insurgency operations against militant outfits. It has requested the Union government to install mobile towers in militancy infested areas to help strengthen the law and order situation in the state.

"Mobile network is very weak in areas like Karbi Anglong. This hampers operations against extremists in inaccessible and difficult terrains. Our humble request to ministry of home affairs (MHA) is that it should pursue the matter with department of telecommunications (DoT) so that mobile towers are installed soon in places like Karbi Anglong. It will be of great help to us," said Jitesh Khosla, chief secretary of Assam government to Kiren Rijiju, Union minister of state for home affairs. Rijiju was here recently to attend a high level meeting with Tarun Gogoi, Assam's chief minister, following the killing of a Superintendent of Police (SP) during counter insurgency operations in Karbi Anlgong district.The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the state government and Union home ministry, including Shambhu Singh, joint secretary (in charge of North-East).
 

Shambhu Singh assured that MHA would take up the matter with DoT for early installation of mobile towers in far flung places like Karbi Anglong. "DoT is planning to install 7,000 mobile towers in the North-Eastern region alone, mostly along the borders. We will soon take up the matter with DoT to strengthen the mobile network services in Karbi Anglong as well as Dima Hasao districts," he added.

Singh said the MHA would pursue vigorously with the 14th Finance Commission of India for awarding sufficient funds for strengthening of the police apparatus in Assam that would also include riverine patrolling.

The MHA has also agreed to the extension of deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to a further period of three months following a request from the Assam government. The MHA has also agreed to deploy five Cobra units of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to launch counter-insurgency operations in the state.Rijiju said he had to rush to Guwahati at the directive of Rajnath Singh, Union home minister, to take stock of the law and order situation in the wake of killing of the SP, and his PSO by militants.