Efforts on to Remove AFSPA, Act Fast and Act First for Northeast: PM Modi at NEC 50 Years Celebrations

The Prime Minister spoke about the sensitive and contentious issue of AFPSA and the prickly border issue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again reiterated his government’s focus on the development of northeast and said that now his government’s thrust is to work fast and work first for northeast.
“Government has gone beyond the conversion of the ‘Look East’ policy to ‘Act East’, and now its policy is ‘Act Fast for Northeast’ and ‘Act First for Northeast”, PM Modi said addressing an august gathering at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong.
Hailing the contribution of NEC in the development of the North East region, Prime Minister said that this golden jubilee celebration of the NEC coincides with the ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Underscoring that he often refers to the 8 states of the region as Asht Lakshmi, he said the government should work on 8 foundation pillars for its development, viz. Peace, Power, Tourism, 5G connectivity, Culture, Natural farming, Sports, Potential.
Speaking about the much-sensitive and contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, the PM said, “In the last 8 years, several organisations have shunned the path of violence and embraced the path of permanent peace. Efforts are being made in close coordination with state governments to improve the situation so that AFSPA is not required. Not only this, but serious efforts are being made to resolve border conflicts, which have been prevalent for decades.”
The PM said, “there is one more significant scheme because of which Northeast states are going to be benefitted. The scheme is to create vibrant border villages. Under these better opportunities will be developed in bordering villages. There has been a perception in the nation that if development takes place in border areas and connectivity is enhanced, then our enemies will be at an advantage. Because of the thought process of the previous government, connectivity could not be developed in bordering areas of the nation, including the Northeast. However, the construction of new roads, tunnels, bridges, rail lines, and airstrips—whatever is required—is now moving at a rapid pace. “We are now engaged to make once-deserted border villages vibrant.”

Prime Minister said Northeast can become a powerhouse of hydropower. This will make the states of the region power surplus, help in expansion of industries and generate a large number of jobs. Discussing the tourism potential of the region, he said that both culture and nature of the region are attracting tourists from across the world. He added that tourism circuits are being identified and developed in the region also. He also discussed sending students from 100 universities to Northeast, which will help bring people of different regions closer. These students can then become ambassadors of the region.
Talking about the government’s focus on improving the connectivity of the region, the PM said that work is going on for
projects like the Indian-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and Agartala-Akhaura rail project. “In last 8 years, number of airports in the region has jumped from 9 to 16, and the number of flights have increased from about 900 before 2014 to around 1900. Many North eastern states have come to Railway map for the first time and efforts are being done to expand the waterways also. The length of national highways has increased by 50% since 2014 in the region.”
Stating that the region has the potential to become powerhouse of hydropower, the PM said, “This will make the states of the region power surplus, help in expansion of industries and generate a large number of jobs.”
Discussing the tourism potential of the region, he said that both culture and nature of the region are attracting tourists from across the world. He added that tourism circuits are being identified and developed in the region also. He also discussed sending students from 100 universities to Northeast, which will help bring people of different regions closer. These students can then become ambassadors of the region.
All the eight Governors and Chief Ministers of Northeast were present at the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Also Read: PM Modi’s crucial Meghalaya & Tripura visit today: Top 12 points

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