Interview | India is safer now, but controlling Pakistan-aided militancy a challenge: Kiren Rijiju

The Narendra Modi government's prominent face from the Northeast, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, spoke to Manan Kumar on various contentious issues related to internal security, the northeast region and China, among others. Excerpts:

What have been the big achievements of the Home Ministry under the present government?

I can say with conviction that overall, the nation is much more secure than it used to be. Besides witnessing a few big incidents — two on the Naxal front, a couple in the Northeast (N-E) and three to four incidents in J&K and the Pakistan border — all Indian cities have remained safe. Most of the attacks on the major locations and installations have been neutralised. But you can't claim it as a credit because nothing has happened. Normally, when incidents take place, they are highlighted. But when incidents don't take place, then people don't realise it.

What are the big challenges?

The big challenges are Left-wing extremism (LWE), controlling Pakistan-aided militancy and terrorism in the north, and putting a lid on militants in N-E who have resorted to carrying out extortion activities. But we are dealing with all these three challenges with an iron fist and will soon put an end to all such activities.

But Pakistan remains a thorny issue for the government...

The role that Pakistan plays outside Indian territory concerns the Ministry of External Affairs. But on the internal front, we have taken up the challenge and responded appropriately. Be it acts of border violation or Pakistan-sponsored activities inside our territory, we have dealt with the issues with firmness and this has shown results. That is why you can see many desperate attempts being made by extremist elements. It is because the government has pushed them into a corner.

Why does N-E suffer from cases of extortion and kidnapping, and a low conviction rate?

This is true for some states. In Meghalaya, militant activity in terms of violent militant attacks against the security forces has come down but, in a surreptitious manner, they have shifted their activities to soft targets like kidnapping businessmen, government officers and local people for ransom. It is a bit disturbing, as is the low conviction rate, especially in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. But in Manipur, Assam and Nagaland, the situation has improved. Tripura is one of the marked states in terms of an improved security situation. Mizoram and Sikkim are absolutely secure. In Arunachal, there is a problem in three eastern districts, but the rest of the 18 districts are peaceful. Overall, the security situation in N-E has come to a level where you can say that it is normal.

The Home Minister recently talked about the problem of radicalisation in N-E? Do you see involvement of the neighbouring country?

Such efforts are being made in parts of N-E, especially in Assam and parts of Meghalaya. But the extremist Islamic elements have failed to radicalise the youth of the Northeast. The problem of radicalisation of madrasas has also been taken care of. The inherent action of madrasas is debatable as there are many good madrasas that are doing very commendable job of imparting education and raising awareness.

There is marked difference between China and India in terms of border infrastructure. What are India's plans in the immediate or distant future to come at par with China?

I don't want to make a comparison with China. They have a different kind of ability and base of resources to build infrastructure. In the last 70 years, the government did not pay attention or allocate enough resources to build infrastructure along the Indo-China border, especially in Arunachal Pradesh. In the last three years, we have taken care of those infrastructural challenges. But it is not to challenge our neighbour, we are providing infrastructure for our own citizens living there. The seven new railway projects connecting some of the important foothill areas of Arunachal Pradesh are a tremendous leap forward. A major National Highway is being declared in Arunachal Pradesh. Telecom connectivity is being provided to connect all the villages of Arunachal Pradesh, including those in the border areas. We have many more programmes lined up, like building solar plants in difficult areas.

How does all this fit into the PM's 'Act East' policy?

The 'Look East' policy was launched in 1991 by late PM Narsimha Rao, but it was not backed up by concrete action. It is only through the N-E region that you can have an outlook towards East Asia and Southeast Asia. The contiguity of the whole geographic features in the Northeast is the beginning of the Southeast Asian countries from our point of view. PM Modi changed the 'Look East' policy to the 'Act East' policy, meaning that it should be backed by actions. We now have solid economic plans with Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. The whole of N-E India is going to be involved with huge economic activities in the next few years to become an economic hub.

Can we say it is our answer to China's 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) initiative?

No, I will not do a comparative analysis. It is not that we are doing it because somebody is doing something else. We are doing it because we need it. PM Modi is taking these steps because it is the need of the region. We cannot leave East or Northeast India out of the activities taking place in the rest of India. PM Modi said that if India is to grow into a powerful and developed nation, then eastern India must be integrated with the rest of India.

Why did the government recently break norms and allow the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh?

We are not making it out to be a special case, nor are we breaking any traditions. His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, visited six times earlier. His last visit to Arunachal was in 2009. His visit is purely spiritual in nature, because his followers keep demanding his visit to receive his blessings. It was the demand of his devotees and the Government of India did not stop his visit because ours is a secular country and we cannot restrict the movement of a religious leader.