Efforts are being made to remove AFSPA completely from NE: PM

By Our Special Correspondent

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said efforts are on to remove AFSPA completely from the northeast region. Addressing a Peace Unity and Development rally here, he said the Armed Forces (special powers) act would be withdrawn from various parts of the region as the law and order situation has improved in the last eight years.

As the law (law and order) situation improved with 75 percent decrease in violence in the region, there have been changes in the imposition of laws. The AFSPA as first revoked in Tipura and then in Meghalaya he said.

"Due to the proper control of the situation in the last eight years, the AFSPA has been removed from most parts of the state. We are trying to withdraw it from the remaining parts too. "The Act is applicable in some areas of Nagaland and Manipur, and we are working speedily to revoke it completely," he said. Earlier this year, the Centre had announced reduction of the disturbed areas imposed under the AFSPA in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur from April 1.

Prime Minister Modi also said the effect of the BJP's "double engine" government is evident in the return of permanent peace and speedy development in Assam. The term "double engine" is used by BJP leaders to refer to the party being in power at the Centre as well as in a state.

The government has entered into peace agreements in Assam's Karbi Anglong and in Tripura, while efforts are on to ensure permanent peace and speedy development in the entire region, he said.

Several outfits of Karbi Anglong returned to the mainstream to march forward in the path of peace and development. The BODO Agreement in 2020 paved the way for peace in the region and in Tipura, the NLFT also came forward for the peace, while the two-and-a-half decade long Bru-Reang issue was resolved he said.

Permanent peace returned to the region, and speedy development in the northeastern states was ensured due to a collective effort of the Centre and the state governments, PM Modi said. He stated that the process is on and will continue in the future.

Earlier the northeast was known for bomb blasts and violence and the worst sufferers were our mothers, sisters, and children. Now as I see the smile on their faces when the youths have given up their arms, I feel God is showering blessings on me, PM Modi said.

The Centre has always tried to resolve difficulties of people in Karbi Anglong and other tribal areas with the policy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas' (with everybody, for everyone's development and with everyone's belief), he said. Besides, efforts have been made to solve border disputes among states in the region in a cordial manner, he said.

The recent boundary agreement between Meghalaya and Assam will encourage the others to resolve the issues and help them march forward, he said. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for colleges of veterinary science and agriculture and a model government college in Karbi Anglong and also launched 2,985 'Amrit Sarovar' projects across Assam.

The ₹1000-crore projects for Karbi Anglong will give new opportunities to youths, particularly those who have returned to the mainstream to participate in the nation-building process, the PM said. "These foundations are not just that of any building or institution but are the foundations for the bright future of the youths of Karbi Anglong," he said.