Agartala, December 21: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called for a transformative approach to policing in the northeast, emphasizing the need for speedy justice as the region transitions from decades of insurgency to peace. Addressing the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala, Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for bringing stability through 20 peace accords over the past decade, resulting in the surrender of 9,000 militants.
“The police force combated insurgency for four decades. Now that peace has been restored, it's time to shift the focus to ensuring justice is delivered within three years of filing an FIR,” Shah asserted.
Highlighting infrastructure achievements, Shah noted the Centre's investment of ₹81,000 crore in railways and ₹41,000 crore in road networks across the northeast. He also emphasized the region's improved connectivity and potential as a gateway to global markets, particularly after the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh.
The home minister underscored rural upliftment, advocating self-sufficiency in vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat production. He also urged northeastern chief ministers to collaborate with the National Organic Corporation Ltd (NOCL) to boost organic farming and exports.
Shah expressed concern over narcotics smuggling, calling for intensified efforts to combat the menace.
The NEC plenary, attended by Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, governors, chief ministers, and senior officials from eight northeastern states, focused on economic and social development initiatives for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Shah reaffirmed the government's commitment to the northeast's progress, highlighting the “700 nights” spent by Union ministers in the region to expedite development activities under the BJP-led NDA government.
