STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Centre wanted a fully-developed Assam and Northeast — free from drugs, terrorism and disputes. "The Modi government is working towards that end," he said.
The Union Home Minister said this after signing a tripartite agreement with five Adivasi militant groups of Assam in New Delhi in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today.
Shah said, "We are determined to resolve boundary and insurgency issues in the Northeast by March 2024 to let the region make a stride toward development. The Modi Government has been trying to bring peace and development to the Northeast. Modi wants the Northeast to play a crucial role in developing the country."
Shah said, "For various reasons, the tribal youths in Assam and the region took arms. However, barring a few, we have brought almost all of the outfits to the mainstream of society, leading to the drastic fall in the death of police personnel and civilians due to insurgency in the region."
On inter-state boundary issues, Shah said, "We have progressed much on this front. Assam and Meghalaya have resolved 65 per cent of their boundary disputes. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are following the same line."
Eight rebel groups, including – Adivasi Cobra Militant Force, Birsa Commando Force, Adivasi People's Army, Adivasi National Liberation Army and Santhal Tiger Force – signed a tripartite peace agreement with the Centre and the Assam Government. Shah assured the Adivasi groups that the Centre would try its best to fulfil the aspirations of the Adivasis. "We have met around 95 per cent of our assurances given to various outfits while signing peace agreements. Even for the welfare of tea garden workers, the Modi Government allocated Rs 1,000 crore in its last Budget," he said.
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