Addressing newsmen in Shillong and Guwahati at the end of his two-day visit to the North-East, Advani said, ``Myanmar and Bangladesh are helping us unlike Pakistan whose ISI is helping the insurgents of the region''.

Expressing concern at the growth of Islamic fundamentalism, Advani said ``the ISI was trying to establish a network all over the country and only last night I came to know of seizure of 84,000 detonators from Coimbatore''.

``In my opinion the main reason for growing insurgency is that the country is regarded as a soft state -- a perception which has to be changed'', he reiterated.

He complimented the army and security forces for dealing with militancy in the states.

The Home Minister also announced that identity cards would be issued to residents who were not citizens of the country but had migrated through the porous border or due to economic factors.

``These cards will virtually function as work permits in the line of those issued in foreign countries for non-citizens'', he said.

He also announced that Assam would be sanctioned Rs 100 crore as reimbursement for security related expenditure after a home ministry committee meeting next week.

The Home Minister said the law and order situation was improving in Assam and that 30 insurgency-hit districts of the North-East would get an additional grant of Rs one crore each to deal with militancy.

On the ongoing talks with the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland, he said the ceasefire was extended this time for one year instead of the usual three months and this was a relief to the people.

Advani said although the problem of ULFA militants in Assam was the responsibility of the state government, the Centre would cooperate with it.

He emphasised that the government would at no cost compromise with the country's integrity. ``There can be talks but the demand for secession can never be discussed''.

Referring to the illegal migrants (determination of tribunal) Act (IMDT), Advani said it should be repealed as demanded by the state government and instead the foreigners act, applicable elsewhere in the country which was more effective, should be in force.

He expressed concern at the presence of more than ten milliion migrants from Bangladesh in the country.

The presence of Reang refugees came up for discussion with both the Tripura and Mizoram governments, he said and added that the latter was told that the Reangs who had left the state should be made to return.

The Home Minister announced sanction of Rs 40 crore for repair of damaged national highway in lower Assam besides Rs 15 core for industrial centres at Matia and Charuduar.