Amit Shah promises road, rail, air connectivity to all northeast …

Union home minister Amit Shah[1] on Saturday laid the foundation stone of various projects worth INR2,415 crore in poll-bound Mizoram and assured that projects to connect all eight capitals of northeastern states would be completed by 2025.

Union home minister Amit Shah. (PTI)Union home minister Amit Shah. (PTI)

Addressing a public meeting in Aizawl[2], Shah said there has been a significant decline in incidents of violence in the region since 2014 and there is a new era of peace and development. "There will be rail, road and air connectivity to all eight capitals in the northeast by 2025 and projects worth INR1.76 lakh crores are being undertaken for the same," the Union home minister said. During his day-long visit to the state capital, Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects, including the new battalion complex of Assam Rifles[3].

"Foundation stones of four important road projects valued at around INR1,200 crore were laid today. When completed, these would lead to increased trade and business not just within Mizoram but also between the state and neighbouring Myanmar," he said. Shah appealed to terror outfits from the region, which have still not engaged in peace talks, to join the democratic mainstream to contribute to northeast and India's development.

He said that over 8,000 cadres of rebel outfits have surrendered in the past nine years and there was 67% decrease in incidents of violence in the region in comparison to 2014, 60% decrease in deaths of security personnel and 83% reduction in deaths of civilians in terror-related violence. "We have been able to bring peace and improve connectivity in the region in the last nine years and the pace of development in the northeast is now like the rest of the country. The entire northeast is now progressing on the path of peace, stability and development," he said.

"Peace has returned to most of the region due to the peace agreements signed with various outfits. Due to this, there has been nearly 70% reduction in areas termed as 'disturbed' under provisions of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act," he added. Mizoram will go to the polls towards the end of the year.

While the ruling Mizo National Front[4] (MNF) is a partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party[5]-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, the parties aren't part of any alliance in the state.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati.

    He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region.

    He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times.

References

  1. ^ Amit Shah (www.hindustantimes.com)
  2. ^ Aizawl (www.hindustantimes.com)
  3. ^ Assam Rifles (www.hindustantimes.com)
  4. ^ Mizo National Front (www.hindustantimes.com)
  5. ^ Bharatiya Janata Party (www.hindustantimes.com)

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