Guwahati: Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the Assam Rifles Academy at Diphu in Assam's Karbi Anglong district has been identified for specialised training of police forces of the Northeast in counter-insurgency operations.

Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day 25th conference of directors-general and inspectors-general of police and heads of central police organisations (CPOs) of the Northeast in Itanagar on Thursday, he said, "The National Investigation Agency has also been conducting training modules for police personnel of northeastern states for investigations of cases related to terror."

Rijiju said seamless coordination, cooperation and intelligence sharing among police forces of northeastern states and CPOs are crucial for the region's security. "Though the northeastern states are eight distinct political units, they can work as one," he said.

Complimenting the forces for the improved security scenario in the region in the last four-and-a-half years, Rijiju said the level of violence and casualty figures have come down by more than 50 per cent.

He said security issues and policing in the region are unique and challenging because it is surrounded by many countries.

He said the geographical situation and exposure to the international border means the region has to deal with both internal and external problems.

He lauded the role of the police in these states and the consistent support by central police forces for maintaining law and order in the region.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu urged the police chiefs to ensure regular informal interaction among senior police officers of the districts sharing inter-state borders to deal with the concerns of the people living along the boundaries.

He said the Northeast should be looked at as one entity while dealing with security matters. The Assam police had a pivotal role to play as the state shares boundaries with almost all the other states, he added.

Khandu pointed out that though Arunachal Pradesh has no homegrown insurgency, its three eastern districts are affected by a spillover of militancy from the neighbourhood.

The chief minister emphasised that peace and order is essential for development and economic growth.

The conference is being attended by directors-general and senior police officers from the northeastern states, senior officers from Central Police Organisation and Intelligence Bureau. Bengal police officers are also taking part.

Arunachal Pradesh director-general of police S.B.K. Singh and additional director of Intelligence Bureau A.K. Mishra addressed the gathering.

The conference will deliberate on securing the international border with Myanmar to prevent infiltration by militants and further improving inter-state coordination in counter-insurgency operations.

Additional reporting by Damien Lepcha in Itanagar