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BJP for talks with N-E rebels
The BJP reiterated its offer to hold parleys with all rebel groups from restive northeastern states who give up violence.
India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday reiterated its offer to hold parleys with all rebel groups from the restive northeastern states who give up violence.
At the same time, it warned it would deal firmly with those who continued to use violence to achieve their objectives.
A Vision Document issued here by the party ahead of the general election said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government had "given unprecedented attention to the development of the northeastern states".
It said it was committed to restoring peace and normalcy "in the disturbed regions by dialogue with all groups who are willing to give up the path of violence".
The central government is currently engaged in peace talks with several northeastern rebel groups, including both factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland.
It has, however, failed to bring powerful groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom to the negotiating table despite numerous overtures.
The BJP said it was committed to protect the ethnic identities of all people in the northeast while ending illegal migration from neighbouring Bangladesh.
The illegal migration would be halted by "vigorously pursuing the 3-D formula - detect, delete and deport", it said.
The BJP said it would also accelerate economic development that provided growth opportunities for all, develop communication infrastructure to overcome the constraints of physical distance and make all Indians aware of the rich history and cultural heritage of the northeast.
To step up development in the region, it would expand regional economic cooperation with countries in India's eastern neighbourhood and in Southeast Asia.
The development of India's oil- and resource-rich northeast, which comprises Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, has been impeded by dragging insurgencies in several states.
