RailEnquiry

Centre to examine demands for new states
SPl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 1 – Resurgence of violence in Assam has not caught the Centre off guard, with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde confirming despatch of additional forces to the State on Thursday. He called for peace and said all demands for creation of new States would be examined carefully.
Replying to questions, the Home Minister said he was aware about the developments in Assam, expressing his anxiety over demand for further bifurcation of the State into five-six new states.

“In the North-east, there are so many demands. In one State there are five divisions that you want to do,” he said referring to the agitation in Assam.

“We have to be very careful but the demand is there. It is not a case of Government neglecting it. If you have a genuine demand, Government of India would listen to them carefully. But in case of Assam, further bifurcation into five-six states is being demanded. Many people are demanding. I appeal to them to maintain peace,” Shinde said.

“I appeal to all those who are demanding new states that they should not take any such step that might disturb peace. They can agitate democratically, peacefully. The Government of India will listen to them.”

Disclosing that additional forces have been despatched to the States where the Centre expected trouble, the Home Minister said that many people and associations were agitating for new States. Not only Karbi Anglong, but people of Coochbehar are also agitating. “A delegation from Coochbehar met me today,” he said.

When asked whether the situation in North-east is back to square one because several of the militant groups, Centre is talking to have been demanding separate State, Shinde disagreed. “I don’t think so because compared to the last two-three years, the situation in the entire North-east is calm. I talked to the Chief Minister of Nagaland yesterday and we are talking to the militant groups through interlocutor,” he said.

“Whenever there is a demand of the people, we see whether it is workable. If it is workable Government decides. In the past also, we had created Uttrakhand, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand,” he said.

Clarifying the principles for creation of new States, Sinde said if the State passes a resolution, it is acceptable. Otherwise Government of India decides.