Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced ambitious plans for the northeastern states, vowing to connect every capital in the region by rail, road, and air within the next two years.
Addressing the Northeast Students' and Youth Parliament organized by ABVP, Shah hailed the achievements of the BJP government, particularly in strengthening the ties between Northeast India and the rest of the country. He emphasized, “By 2027, every capital of the Northeast will be connected by train, plane, and road, drastically reducing the distance and ensuring seamless connectivity.”
Shah also highlighted the significant reduction in violence in the region since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government took office. He pointed out that violent incidents have dropped by 70%, from 11,000 between 2004 and 2014, to 3,428 from 2014 to 2024. Along with this, fatalities among security forces have decreased by 70%, while civilian deaths have fallen by an impressive 89% in the past decade.
The Home Minister credited the BJP's governance for fostering peace and progress in the Northeast, noting that 12 key agreements have been signed with insurgent groups, leading to over 10,500 insurgents laying down their arms and reintegrating into mainstream society.
Shah also touched upon the importance of personal engagement in the region. He revealed that, under PM Modi’s initiative, one minister will stay overnight in a Northeast state every month, highlighting the government’s dedication to the region. Comparing Modi’s tenure to his predecessors, Shah shared, “Since independence, all prime ministers combined have made 21 visits to the Northeast, excluding Assam, while Narendra Modi alone has visited the region 78 times, underscoring the priority the government places on Northeast India.”
Further reinforcing the government’s commitment to the region, Shah disclosed that a Rs 2,700 crore semiconductor plant is being set up in Assam, and a massive Rs 2.5 lakh crore investment will be directed toward infrastructure and development in the Northeast.
In closing, the Home Minister assured the youth of the region that in the next decade, employment opportunities would be abundant within the Northeast itself, eliminating the need for young people to migrate elsewhere for work. “In the next 10 years, no child or youth from this region will need to leave to seek employment. We are committed to making the Northeast self-sufficient,” he affirmed.