Shillong, Jan. 29: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today said insurgency in the Northeast should be declared a national problem.

Addressing reporters here today, she pointed out that the region was strategically located and accommodated people of diverse cultures.

Earlier, addressing the 12th conference of the North Eastern Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) here, she referred to the 36th report of the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs that focused on the problem of insurgency in the Northeast. The report had been presented to Parliament in 1997.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said the report had recognised insurgency in the region as a national problem and it needed to be tackled accordingly.

She also said the committee had emphasised the need for a two-pronged strategy for the region, dealing with insurgency on the one hand and working for development on the other. The country should treat insurgency as an important issue while focussing on the region’s development, the Speaker said.

“The Northeast is rich in natural resources and must have better air and rail connectivity,” she added.

She also said the nation should think about eliminating insurgency completely.

“Insurgency should not exist anywhere in the country where democracy thrives. Moreover, insurgency affects development and fundamental rights,” the Speaker said.

“Democracy and violence cannot go together and we cannot accept the thought process of militants who follow the path of violence”, she said.

She said it was the responsibility of the states in the region and the nation to address the challenges faced by the Northeast in terms of development.

Assam Speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai said, “There is a need to have concerted efforts by the northeastern states for development through peace.” Meghalaya Speaker Charles Pyngrope said the topic for discussion at the NERCPA meet was most relevant for all insurgency-hit states in the Northeast.

Meghalaya chief minister D.D. Lapang said insurgency had its roots in the socio-economic and political environment of the region.“It is impossible to abolish any such movement without winning the hearts and minds of the people,” he added.