By Firstdespatch Desk Dec 21, 2024
Agartala, Dec 21 (FD) Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday said that when the insurgency has ended in the North Eastern region there is need for peace, developments and the promotion of literature, language and culture.
Shah, who inaugurated the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought peace in the region by signing 20 peace accords with different groups of insurgents in the last 10 years, which led to the surrender of 9,000 armed insurgents.
He said that in the past, the central government merely gave speeches from Delhi without taking concrete actions for the region’s growth. However, Prime Minister Modi has paid special attention to the region, making 65 visits and bringing tangible benefits each time. This focus has led to overcoming many obstacles, with the North East now walking the path of development.
Shah said “The police fought insurgency in the northeast for the past four decades. As insurgency has now ended, we need to change the approach of the force to ensure people get justice within three years of lodging FIRs,” he said.
Shah noted that significant infrastructure development has reduced the distance between the North East and Delhi, and each state in the region continues to celebrate and preserve its unique traditions. He assured that the central government would continue to support the region’s growth, as its prosperity is essential for contributing to the nation’s development.
He concluded by stating that for true progress in the North East, collaboration from all stakeholders is required. Major investments, such as Tata Semiconductor’s decision to invest ₹27,000 crore in Assam, will be crucial for the region’s growth, and the government will ensure all resources are available to maintain the region’s cultural heritage.
Shah said that there has been huge connectivity in the North-East as the Centre has spent Rs 41,000 crore for road networks and Rs 81,000 crores for rail connectivity.
He also pointed out that after the exchanges of the enclaves with the neighbouring Bangladesh the investors from the whole world are looking towards the region and this is sure to change the investment ecosystem.
“There should be a hike in the GSDP, but there is a need for self-sufficiency in the production of vegetables, milk, eggs and meats”, Shah said.
He also expressed his deep concern at the growing trends at the narcotics smuggling in the region and stated that this menace must come to an end.
Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and all the governors and chief ministers of all the eight northeastern states were present in the programme.
The North Eastern Council is the regional planning body of the entire region including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. FD JK