Guwahati, July 20: Arunachal Pradesh today sought a clarification from Delhi on Union minister of state for home Swami Chinmayanand’s remark that Operation Hurricane, the first major counter-insurgency offensive in the state, was an unnecessary exercise.

The Mukut Mithi government went ahead with the operation in spite of Delhi declining its request for additional security forces. Swami Chinmayanand’s remark, made during his recent visit to Tirap district, increased the friction between the two sides over the operation.

Education minister Takam Sanjay, who is also the Mithi government’s spokesperson, said at a news conference here that Delhi was “bending over backwards to please the NSCN (I-M)”.

He said Swami Chinmayanand’s adverse remark on Operation Hurricane was tantamount to encouraging the NSCN (I-M) to continue its “unlawful activities” in Arunachal Pradesh.

Sanjay said Delhi’s attitude smacked of a discreet understanding between some central ministers and the NSCN (I-M). “They are trying to please the NSCN (I-M) and creating problems for states like Arunachal Pradesh”.

On the efficacy of Operation Hurricane, the minister said the Arunachal Pradesh government was confident it would be successful. “Operation Hurricane is on against both the factions of the NSCN. The Centre has refused to help us, but when the situation deteriorates, then Delhi accuses the state government of failing to maintain law and order.”

Claiming that Delhi was interested only in the western borders, Sanjay said: “When there was a massive build-up by the Chinese across the Macmohan Line, the Centre did not take any precautionary measure. It simply depended on the topographic barrier. We cannot rule out another show of aggression by China.”

Home minister Kabang Borang, too, accused Delhi of ignoring Arunachal Pradesh’s insecurity over the presence of militants and the threat from across the border.

On Swami Chinmayanand’s remark that Operation Hurricane was unnecessary, he said the Union minister would be held responsible for deterioration of law and order in the state.

“Your speech (in Tirap) may have an adverse fallout…and in that eventuality, the responsibility of such deterioration of law and order will be entirely yours,” Borang said in a letter to Swami Chinmayanand.