Author:
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: June 18, 2003
Tripura is fighting a battle against
poverty and terrorism. The Pioneer's Saugar Sengupta recently spoke to
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on these issues and more. Excerpts
of the interview:
Q.: Do you think Tripura is in turmoil?
A.: No Tripura is not in a turmoil.
An elected Government is in place. So why should the State be in turmoil?
Q.: Because militants have held
sway over the State.
A.: Militancy has to be viewed
in a larger perspective. That is, the way it has been promoted in the entire
Northeastern region. In fact, a large portion of the Northeast is infested
with terrorist groups.
Q.: Don't you think terrorism has
a lot to do with unfulfilled aspirations of the local people?
A.: Had this been the reason then
most states of India would have become victims of terrorism. Militancy
in Tripura is more of an external than internal affair. It is funded and
aided by the ISI. I have information that till the last month 59 terrorist
training camps were operational in Bangladesh.
Q.: How do you propose to tackle
the problem?
A.: We can only fight the menace
politically and socially. But since the local police cannot contain terrorism
on its own we need central help.
Q.: Has the Centre been prompt to
react?
A.: The Centre has responded very
positively. For the last five years New Delhi has been taking up the issue
with Bangladesh. In fact, the ISI-fed operatives across the border have
an international agenda. They are the same people who are operating in
Kashmir. They have links not only with international groups but also with
ULFA, NSCN operating in the other Northeastern states. I think the Centre
should exert more pressure on Bangladesh. Dhaka should be asked to close
the training camps and hand over the militants to India. Besides, we have
also demanded that barbed fencing be raised along the 850 km porous border.
There should be an additional deployment of BSF and a redeployment of army
in some areas. Terrorist problem in Tripura should not be viewed in isolation.
It has an international façade.
Q.: You have been trying to project
Tripura as a business destination?
A.: Yes. Tripura like many other
states has no dearth of natural and mineral resources. However, to tap
that we need a generous help from the Centre. This should primarily in
the form of infrastructure development.
Q.: How would you list the USPs
of Tripura?
A.: Earlier bulk of our business
was done with Bangladesh. But now a railway project linking Tripura with
the rest of the country is being taken up. If it comes through then Tripura
can be the 'gateway' to the South-east Asian countries. We have also been
trying to promote industries based on pineapple, orange and rubber. In
fact Tripura is the second largest rubber producer after Kerala in the
country. Our rubber is superior in quality.
Q.: What steps are you taking to
promote tourism?
A.: Well, the State in itself can
be a huge tourist destination. In fact, people from far and wide - even
international tourists - are now gradually drawn towards Tripura. If we
create a tourist zone in the Northeast Tripura can fit into the scheme
quite superbly.
Q.: The Left Front Government has
been in power for so long. What has been your major achievement?
A.: Though physically Tripura is
in a disadvantageous level we have been able to sustain a healthy growth.
For instance, we have surpassed the national standard in per capita income.
But more importantly we have been able to effect a unity among the tribal
and non-tribal population in our State. We have created autonomous district
councils for development at local level.
