AGARTALA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday pointed out the need for a shift in the approach of law enforcement in the Northeast now that insurgency has ended in the region.
Speaking at the 72nd plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shah highlighted the importance of ensuring that people receive justice swiftly, ideally within three years of filing FIRs.
Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing peace to the region through the signing of 20 peace accords over the past decade, resulting in the surrender of 9,000 militants.
“The police have fought insurgency for four decades. With insurgency now behind us, it is time for a new approach to policing that prioritises the timely delivery of justice,” he said.
The Union Minister also noted that connectivity issues in the Northeast have been addressed, with the Centre investing Rs 81,000 crore in rail infrastructure and Rs 41,000 crore in road networks across the region.
Shah further asserted that PM Modi had expedited development activities in the Northeast, stating that Union ministers have spent a total of 700 nights in the region since the BJP-led NDA government came to power.
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He also pointed to the impact of the land boundary agreements with Bangladesh, which he said would open up new opportunities for the Northeast, particularly in terms of investment.
In his speech, Shah stressed the need for rural upliftment, advocating for increased production of vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat to promote self-sufficiency.
“It’s not just about increasing GSDP; we must focus on becoming self-sufficient in essential food products,” he said.
The Centre, according to Shah, is also prioritising organic farming in the region.
He urged all state governments in the Northeast to collaborate with the newly established National Organic Corporation Ltd (NOCL) for packaging, marketing, and exporting organic products.
Shah also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of narcotics smuggling in the region, calling for increased efforts to combat the issue.
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Earlier in the day, Shah inaugurated the 72nd plenary session of the NEC at Prajna Bhavan.
The session was attended by Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with governors, chief ministers from all eight northeastern states, and senior officials.
The NEC serves as the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the region, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
