Prime minister Narendra Modi on April 28 said that development accelerated in the Northeast region after insurgency and other issues were resolved, along with the restoration of peace.
Addressing a gathering at Loringthepi in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, the prime minister said that with the declining of the violent activities by 75 per cent over the years, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was being withdrawn from large parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
“The Bodo Accord and Karbi Anglong settlement led to the prosperity of the backward areas of Assam. Problems of the displaced Reang tribals were resolved in Tripura,” Modi said after laying the foundation stones and inaugurating a cluster of educational and various development projects in Karbi Anglong.
The projects include Amrit Dhara Project, and setting up of an agriculture and a veterinary college, along with two model colleges.
“For those youths who shunned violence and deposited arms and ammunition, the government would take steps for their rehabilitation. Former militants are now living with their families with peace and prosperity. The era of violence has largely ended in the region,” Modi noted.
The prime minister said that the decades-old inter-state disputes in the Northeast region are being resolved gradually.
Veiled message for Naga peace talks?
Prime minster Modi on April 28 said that talks are on for lasting peace with all seriousness in other areas – in all probability hinting at the Naga peace talks.
“Baaki jagaon mein bhi sthai shanti ke liye hamare prayas lagatar chal rahen hain, gambhirta se chal rahen hain (All across northeast, our sincere efforts are on to establish a lasting peace. Efforts are continuing, they are being pursued with all seriousness),” Modi said in Karbi Anglong, which shares a border with Nagaland.
While his reference could be seen from a general perspective for all militant groups, experts believe that it was obviously more relevant for Naga peace talks.
