Addressing a programme in Guwahati to mark the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led NDA government in Assam one year in office, Shah said across the eight states of Northeast India there is a government of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). “Assam saw bloodshed and several families were disturbed. Narendra Modi did Bodo accord and agreement with Karbi militants. There is no curfew here, there are no gunshots. Youth are not moving with guns but with laptops and communicating with the world for setting up startups.”
He added, “The day is not far when all the capitals of Northeast India will have air connectivity. The day is not far when Assam will be flood free and water of the region is channelized for proper use. India can only become great if Assam becomes great. He also said that the youth of Assam will benefit greatly when India becomes a 5 trillion-dollar economy.”
He said that the government is trying to stop cross border influx both in Assam and West Bengal, while there is no cooperation from West Bengal, Assam is standing rock-solid behind the centre in dealing with the influx.
Shah said he was confident that the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 would soon be revoked from the entire Assam.
Addressing a public rally, he said, “Together with Central paramilitary forces, Assam government and Central government has built an impregnable wall against influx. We are trying to stop influx both in Assam and West Bengal, we do not get any co-operation from West Bengal whereas Assam is standing rock-solid behind the centre and with result evident in the remarkable decrease in infiltration”.
Shah said that he visited the Indo-Bangladesh border at Mankachar in Assam on Monday. “We promised to stop the cross border influx. The data reveals that during the last six years, infiltration has declined hugely and some patches of border fencing are constructed and once that happens influx will stop completely”.
Shah said that Sarma’s government has ensured that all doors in the state have been closed for cattle smugglers. “Illegal cattle smuggling to Bangladesh is completely stopped. Fear of Assam police among the smugglers is there from Assam to Hyderabad.”
Shah while speaking at a function in Guwahati said, “We have never accepted influx and infiltration. Those who were talking about forests and tribal people never dared to free encroachment of forest lands and lands of Sattras (vaishnavite monastery) were made encroachment free.”
He added, “Infiltrators were poaching Assam’s pride, one horn Rhino of Assam, our government has ensured that poaching comes to a complete halt. They did not take steps for the sake of vote bank politics. Once late former chief minister Tarun Gogoi asked where is BJP, I want to say here is BJP and we were voted back to power for the second time in Assam. People vote for the second time only after they gain confidence. Congress party’s aim is family service.”
He said, “After almost 30 years’ operation of AFSPA is lifted from 60 percent of the area of Assam. Armed forces do not require special power here as there is peace and special powers will be provided for the development of the youths. Congress party has extended AFSPA act almost 60 times. There is no need for AFSPA now here as there is peace.”
After presenting the President’s Colour to the Assam Police at a ceremony here, the Home Minister said that due to the constant efforts of the Centre and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, almost all the extremist outfits have entered into peace agreements and surrendered before the government. He said that the surrendered militants are being jointly rehabilitated by the central and state governments.
Highlighting the glorious history and achievements of Assam police, Shah said that besides militancy, the Assam police during the past several decades has successfully tackled infiltration, border issues, drug peddling, smuggling of arms, cattle and other contraband, poaching of rhinos, human trafficking and several other social issues.
Stating that the present Assam government came to power in the midst of second phase of Covid pandemic, he said that during this period instead of depending on Central government support alone, Assam government supplied oxygen cylinders to north-eastern states and developed strong health infrastructure with ICU facilities for treatment of Covid patients.
He also said that the state government is working to add 16 more medical colleges to develop a more robust health network and for the first time in the last seven decades of independent India high schools were set up at tea garden areas in Assam.