GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said difficulties in the northeast have reduced since 2014 and development is taking place in the region. He was addressing the ‘Peace, Unity and Development Rally’ at Diphu in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.
The Prime Minister said, “For a long time, Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) had been imposed in many northeastern states. However, during the last eight years, we have removed AFSPA from many areas of northeast due to the arrival of permanent peace and better law and order conditions.”
“Today, when someone comes to the tribal areas of Assam or goes to other states of the northeast, he also appreciates the changing situation,” he said.
Saying that “since 2014, the difficulties in the northeast are reducing and development is taking place” Modi recalled last year’s inclusion of many organisations from Karbi Anglong in the peace and development process.
“Bodo Accord in 2020 also opened doors for permanent peace. Similarly, in Tripura, NLFT has taken step towards peace. Two-and-a-half decade old Bru-Reang was also solved,” the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister’s unwavering commitment towards peace and development of the region was exemplified with the recent signing of Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) by the Government of India and Government of Assam with six Karbi militant outfits. The Memorandum of Settlement has ushered in a new era of peace in the region.
PM Modi said that solution for border problems is being sought in the spirit of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. “The agreement reached between Assam and Meghalaya will encourage other matters as well. This will give impetus to the development aspirations of the entire region”, the Prime Minister emphasised.
During the programme, he also laid the foundation of Veterinary College (Diphu), Degree College (West Karbi Anglong) and Agricultural College (Kolonga, West Karbi Anglong). “These projects, worth more than Rs 500 crore, will bring new opportunities for skilling and employment in the region,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for more than 2,950 Amrit Sarovar projects, which he said will be developed by the state at a cumulative cost of around Rs 1,150 crore.
The Prime Minister said that the ‘double engine’ government is working with the spirit of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. “Today this resolve has been reinforced on this land of Karbi Anglong. The work of carrying out the agreement which was signed for the permanent peace and rapid development of Assam is going on at a brisk pace,” he said.
