Speaking at the 72nd plenary meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the Centre’s achievements in curbing terrorism in the region.
He said the efforts of the Narendra Modi government have led to a reduction in terrorism-related deaths by 86 per cent in the last 10 years.
“We have combated militancy for years… The target of the police was to end violence. That job is completed. Now, it’s the time to ensure justice for the citizens of the Northeast. Now the time has come to change the culture of the police in the Northeast,” said the Union minister.
He informed that nearly 10,574 insurgents surrendered in the region and 20 accords were signed with militant groups since the Modi government was formed in 2014.
Shah also stressed that the Northeastern states need to combat the drug menace.
The home minister then said the time has come to make the country a five-trillion-dollar economy by developing the Northeast, and the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) ministry and the NEC were working toward that goal by following the motto of “Act East, Act Fast, and Act First”.
“PM Modi brought it (the Northeast) into the focus of development with his vision and sensitivity. In the last 10 years, due to the unprecedented development of infrastructure in the Northeast, not only has the physical distance been reduced, but PM Modi has also worked to bridge the distance of hearts between the people of this region and Delhi,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the NEC, Shah said it has played a crucial role in harmonising the policies of the Centre and the states of the region for over 50 years.
He also informed that the Union cabinet has decided to help set up three semiconductor units in the Northeast. One of these units – Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited – would be set up in Assam with an investment of approximately Rs 27,000 crore, Shah said, adding that it would be the largest investment in the sector so far.
Meanwhile, attending a banking summit later in the day at a private hotel in the city, the home minister conceded, “We have come to the Northeast, which is collectively a bigger territory than Uttar Pradesh. We got late in exploring its potential.”
Referring to the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, 1974, and the Protocol of 2011 to the Agreement signed with the erstwhile Sheikh Hasina-led government, Shah said items manufactured in the Northeast would get direct access to the international market through the Chittagong port in Bangladesh. He, however, did not speak on the rise of ‘anti-India’ sentiments in Bangladesh following the ouster of Hasina earlier this year or the fate of several connectivity projects between the two nations.
Why should you buy our Subscription?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package
