New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said reduction in violent incidents and civilian casualties in the North-East under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government indicates that along with the establishment of peace in the region, cultural development is also taking place.
Addressing the 'Unity Utsav - One Voice, One Nation' event organised by Assam Rifles here, Shah said, "Violent incidents and deaths of security personnel have been reduced by 70 per cent and causalities of civilians by 85 per cent in the North-East. This reduction in the figures of violence shows that there is now a gradual peace in the North-East and a new era of development and cultural development is beginning".
The Home Minister said under the Modi government in the last 10 years, especially in the last five years, there has been a significant change in the law-and-order situation in the North-East.
He said since 2014, more than 10,500 militants have laid down their arms in the North-East and 12 peace accords have been signed in the region between 2019 and 2024.
He said that many disputes had been going on here for decades, but the Modi government took two steps forward and made the youth believe that a lot of opportunities are available for them.
He also appealed to the youth indulging in violence to join the mainstream by laying down arms.
Shah said that the word unity is very important for the North-East. For many years after independence, a vast area of ​​North-East was physically and emotionally distant from Delhi. Prime Minister Modi has eliminated the physical and emotional distance between North-East and Delhi through connectivity. Today North-East belongs to the whole of India and the whole of India belongs to the North-East.
The minister said that the Modi government has increased hundreds of budgetary provisions for the North-East and has given 3-4 times more budget to the North-East. "By 2027, all the eight states of North-East will be connected to Delhi through rail and air connectivity," he added.
He said that Prime Minister Modi has popularised North-East across the country as Ashtalakshmi and all eight states of the region are capable of enriching the country in every aspect.
"There are immense opportunities for the youth of North-East in the fields of economic, cultural, security, sports and research and development. The Modi government has opened numerous avenues for North-East in every field, from tourism to technology, sports to space, agriculture to entrepreneurship and banking to business," he added.
Calling North-East as the treasure of India Shah said, "More than 220 ethnic groups and more than 160 tribes reside in our North-East, more than 200 dialects and languages ​​are spoken, more than 50 unique festivals are celebrated, and more than 30 traditional dances and more than 100 cuisines exist in the region. All this is a treasure of a rich heritage for the whole of India, which is proud of its heritage. India without the North-East and the North-East without India is incomplete".
Talking about the festival, Shah said that through the 5-day Unity Utsav, the unity of the North-East has been showcased in Delhi.
Praising the Assam Rifles, the Home Minister said that it is the oldest paramilitary force of India, and this force is identified as a ‘Friend of the North-East’.
He said that the Assam Rifles has played a crucial role in rescuing the North-East from numerous crises.
Through this event, today Assam Rifles has succeeded in showcasing the unity and cultural strength of the North-East to the entire country and the world.
While giving away the prizes to the winners, Shah said that 212 teams and 1500 students took part in the sports competitions in this event and more than 150 students also participated in the cultural programmes.
He said that today most of the prizes have been bagged by Manipur, which shows the importance of sports in Manipur. Keeping in mind the popularity of sports in the North-East, the Prime Minister decided to establish the country's first sports university in Manipur.
He said that "Sports for All, Sports for Excellence" have become the formula for the development of sports in India and expressed confidence that in 2036, India will host the Olympic Games, and the country will be in the top 10, with the North-Eastern states playing a key role in this achievement. UNI RBE XC SSP