Aizawl, Union Home Minister Amit Shah On Saturday urged the remaining active militants in the Northeast to join the mainstream.
During a rally in Aizawl, he said that the establishment of peace in Mizoram was a testament to the victory of Indian democracy.
Shah also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 11 projects worth Rs 2,414 crore.
He urged the active militant organizations to shun violence and participate in the democratic process, thereby contributing to the development of the region and the country.
“Peace has been established in Mizoram which was facing insurgency. This is an unprecedented example of the victory of India’s democracy.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga Welcoming Shah, he said his visit would help strengthen the state’s ties with the Centre.
Shah undertook a day-long tour of the northeastern state on Saturday, during which he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth about Rs 11 crore. 2,414 crore including the new Assam Rifles Battalion Headquarters.
Addressing a public meeting here in Lemmuel, zoramthanga Said that the state has been waiting for a long time for Shah to visit the state and inaugurate the Assam Rifles Complex, Laldenga Cultural Center and other development projects.
Zoramthanga welcomed Shah, saying, “Definitely, it will be a milestone.”
He said that during the time of the first chief minister of the state, Laldenga, the government had identified the land for the Assam Rifles Camp.
He said that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned funds for the construction of new Assam Rifles Headquarters Complex and now it is in a position to be inaugurated.
According to the Chief Minister, the proposed Laldenga Cultural Centre, which will be constructed in the area (Lammual) to be vacated by the Assam Rifles, will have an auditorium, a conference hall and other facilities to accommodate 5,000-10,000 people.
Speaking on the occasion after inaugurating the Assam Rifles Headquarters Complex and other development projects, Shah said the base of the paramilitary force would be shifted from the center of Aizawl to Zokhwasang, about 15 km east of Aizawl.
He also said that the completion of four new roads at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore would boost trade and business not only within Mizoram but also with the state and neighboring Myanmar.
The Union minister lauded the Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front (MNF) government, saying it has done very well in terms of development.
He said that the peace which is visible in Mizoram, which was once an atmosphere of unrest for decades, is an example of the victory of Indian democracy.
“Once there was militancy and violence in Mizoram. There were shots fired and bombs exploded. But today Zoramthanga is the chief minister of the state, and there is peace and harmony. This is an unprecedented example of the success of India’s democracy.” Shah said.
Describing the Center as dedicated to the development of the Northeast, he said the Modi government has increased the budget allocation for the region by 276 per cent.
“The central government is working towards connecting state capitals of all eight states with rail, road and air connectivity by 2025 with a project outlay of Rs 1,76,000 crore,” he said.
“Around 8,000 militants have surrendered in the region since 2014. We have signed a peace accord with the NLFT in Tripura in 2019, rehabilitated 37,000 Brus in Tripura, and brought peace to Assam by signing the Bodo Accord in 2020 and signed a peace agreement at Karbi Anglong in 2022. In addition, the areas under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 have been reduced by 70 per cent.
Shah was shown black flags by Congress party workers during his visit to Mizoram capital Aizawl to inaugurate development projects on Saturday.
The opposition party was protesting against the disqualification of its national leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament following his recent conviction in a defamation case.
State Congress leaders and office-bearers of various frontal organizations staged a peaceful protest to show solidarity with Gandhi.
Noting that Mizoram’s economy grew by 12.15 per cent in the last decade, especially under the leadership of Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Shah said the Center would explore investment opportunities in tourism, bamboo and solar energy sectors in the state.
He said the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project would connect Mizoram with Myanmar and bring economic development to the northeastern state.
Interestingly, Zoramthanga is a former leader of the Mizo National Front (MNF), the erstwhile underground founded by Laldenga that spearheaded a separatist movement for two decades between 1966 and 1986.
The MNF signed a peace accord with India in 1986, and Mizoram became the country’s 23rd state in February 1987.
(With inputs from PTI)
During a rally in Aizawl, he said that the establishment of peace in Mizoram was a testament to the victory of Indian democracy.
Shah also virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 11 projects worth Rs 2,414 crore.
He urged the active militant organizations to shun violence and participate in the democratic process, thereby contributing to the development of the region and the country.
“Peace has been established in Mizoram which was facing insurgency. This is an unprecedented example of the victory of India’s democracy.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga Welcoming Shah, he said his visit would help strengthen the state’s ties with the Centre.
Shah undertook a day-long tour of the northeastern state on Saturday, during which he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth about Rs 11 crore. 2,414 crore including the new Assam Rifles Battalion Headquarters.
Addressing a public meeting here in Lemmuel, zoramthanga Said that the state has been waiting for a long time for Shah to visit the state and inaugurate the Assam Rifles Complex, Laldenga Cultural Center and other development projects.
Zoramthanga welcomed Shah, saying, “Definitely, it will be a milestone.”
He said that during the time of the first chief minister of the state, Laldenga, the government had identified the land for the Assam Rifles Camp.
He said that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned funds for the construction of new Assam Rifles Headquarters Complex and now it is in a position to be inaugurated.
According to the Chief Minister, the proposed Laldenga Cultural Centre, which will be constructed in the area (Lammual) to be vacated by the Assam Rifles, will have an auditorium, a conference hall and other facilities to accommodate 5,000-10,000 people.
Speaking on the occasion after inaugurating the Assam Rifles Headquarters Complex and other development projects, Shah said the base of the paramilitary force would be shifted from the center of Aizawl to Zokhwasang, about 15 km east of Aizawl.
He also said that the completion of four new roads at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore would boost trade and business not only within Mizoram but also with the state and neighboring Myanmar.
The Union minister lauded the Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front (MNF) government, saying it has done very well in terms of development.
He said that the peace which is visible in Mizoram, which was once an atmosphere of unrest for decades, is an example of the victory of Indian democracy.
“Once there was militancy and violence in Mizoram. There were shots fired and bombs exploded. But today Zoramthanga is the chief minister of the state, and there is peace and harmony. This is an unprecedented example of the success of India’s democracy.” Shah said.
Describing the Center as dedicated to the development of the Northeast, he said the Modi government has increased the budget allocation for the region by 276 per cent.
“The central government is working towards connecting state capitals of all eight states with rail, road and air connectivity by 2025 with a project outlay of Rs 1,76,000 crore,” he said.
“Around 8,000 militants have surrendered in the region since 2014. We have signed a peace accord with the NLFT in Tripura in 2019, rehabilitated 37,000 Brus in Tripura, and brought peace to Assam by signing the Bodo Accord in 2020 and signed a peace agreement at Karbi Anglong in 2022. In addition, the areas under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 have been reduced by 70 per cent.
Shah was shown black flags by Congress party workers during his visit to Mizoram capital Aizawl to inaugurate development projects on Saturday.
The opposition party was protesting against the disqualification of its national leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament following his recent conviction in a defamation case.
State Congress leaders and office-bearers of various frontal organizations staged a peaceful protest to show solidarity with Gandhi.
Noting that Mizoram’s economy grew by 12.15 per cent in the last decade, especially under the leadership of Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Shah said the Center would explore investment opportunities in tourism, bamboo and solar energy sectors in the state.
He said the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project would connect Mizoram with Myanmar and bring economic development to the northeastern state.
Interestingly, Zoramthanga is a former leader of the Mizo National Front (MNF), the erstwhile underground founded by Laldenga that spearheaded a separatist movement for two decades between 1966 and 1986.
The MNF signed a peace accord with India in 1986, and Mizoram became the country’s 23rd state in February 1987.
(With inputs from PTI)