Terror roots will deepen if basic amenities lacking: US envoy

AGARTALA - The “roots of terrorism” would deepen if basic amenities were not provided to the people, US Consul General in Kolkata Beth A. Payne said here Tuesday.

“If the authority failed to provide basic facilities including food, health and education, the roots of terrorism would go further deeper,” Payne told reporters.

The Kolkata-based Payne added: “Roots of terrorism (are) very deep. Many people use the terror-tool for their narrow interest. The world is suffering from this common threat. United States uses diplomacy, development and defence to curb extremism.”

The senior US official arrived here Sunday on a four-day Tripura visit.

She took part in the traditional tribal festival ‘Kharchi’ in western Tripura and interacted with the self-help group members, functionaries of the Tripura Adibasi Mahila Samity, an NGO working with the women and Tripura University professors.

She also met Pradyot Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, scion of Tripura’s royal family.

Talking about containing militancy in Tripura, she said: “What I have seen in Tripura, you had your own conflict in the past but now it’s a very peaceful state and I am very curious to learn how you have done so well to establish peace here (in Tripura).”

The US envoy went on to say that US President Barack Obama has “stressed on strengthening the relationship with India on different aspects on (a) priority basis and Indo-US nuclear agreement was a milestone”.

She spoke about the prospects of US investments in Tripura, mainly in the service sectors, including tourism, business entrepreneurship and education.

“Many US investors might be interested in investments in the northeastern states and that would be helpful for the overall development of the region’s economic scenario.”