‘Govt funds for N-E reach insurgents’

Even as he stressed that seeking cooperation of neighbours to crack down on militant infrastructure was the most effective way of curbing insurgency, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today admitted that Central funds for North Eastern states inadvertently bankroll insurgent activity.

‘‘Government money is being used but that is not the end. Money flows by selling of arms, ransom and bank robbery,’’ Patil said after delivering the Intelligence Bureau’s 17th centenary endowment lecture. He said the channels through which the funds reach terrorists should be identified and blocked. ‘‘Terrorism as such can be brought down if the flow of funds to terrorists is checked, and if the youth can be given better employment opportunities,’’ he said.

Patil dismissed the possibility of ‘‘hot pursuits’’ to raze militant camps in the N-E, and indicated it could spell war. Drawing attention to the possibility of terrorists using biological and chemical weapons in future, he said, ‘‘India is neither a soft state, nor does it believe in war-mongering. Being gentle does not mean we are weak.’’

‘‘Have we been able to check militancy on Indian soil? If not, how can we make surprise attacks in other countries,’’ he asked. ‘‘We’re trying to make it clear to Dhaka that providing a safe haven to militants puts their national security in danger. Hot pursuit would mean we’re prepared for war,’’ Patil said, adding hot pursuits were acceptable only in ‘‘extraordinary situations’’.