Guwahati: Defence Minister, George Fernandes said there was no plan to offer
ceasefire to militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan.
Talking to reporters during his day-long visit to the state, Fernandes said no such
decision for a ceasefire had been taken by the government so far.
To queries on a ceasefire offered last year, he said, instructions were given to the
Army then not to initiate any action against the extremists unless they struck
first.
Stating that the government was deeply concerned over the presence of al-Qaida in
neighbouring Bangladesh, the Defence Minister said, the Union Home Ministry was
taking adequate steps.
He also said that both the Indo-China and Indo-Bangladesh borders were adequately
guarded and that it was matter of time before the porous Eastern flanks with
Bangladesh were taken care of.
On the Assam Chief Minister's claim that the Indo-Bhutan border was not protected
leading to the recent massacre there, Fernandes said the Centre was aware of the
problem there and the Home Ministry would take necessary measures there.
Speaking at the Lok Manch Conference on employment generation in the North Eastern
region, he said, insurgency problem here being primarily linked to unemployment
could be solved by creating employment avenues.
The Defence Minister said that unemployment was linked to militancy in the
state as evident from the surrendered ultras who were wanting to be
rehabilitated by receiving vocational training to earn a living.
He suggested harnessing of the rich potential of bamboo in the North East
region as an avenue for creation of employment in the area.
Appreciating the 'Good Samaritan' project of the Army in the state for
helping the people, Fernandes said, the Army would locally purchase goods to
encourage employment generation.
The government would also extend help to entrepreneurs to set up units for
supplying goods to the Army in Guwahati, he added.
PTI
