PM Promises to Withdraw Afspa from NE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from all northeastern states in the future. Addressing a public rally in Assam’s Karbi Anglong on Thursday, Modi said that violence in northeast came down by 75% in the last eight years, which led to improvement in law and order.

“Afspa was in force in Assam for the last three decades. The Centre extended the Act as there was no improvement in law and order. However, the situation has improved in the last eight years and we have withdrawn the Act in 23 districts. We have also withdrawn it from Tripura and Meghalaya following improvement in law and order. We have been working to improve law and order in Nagaland and Manipur, so that we could withdraw Afspa from the two states too,” Modi said

“Today, when one visits tribal areas of Assam or other states of northeast, one is able to appreciate the change in the social environment,” Modi said. He recalled inclusion of many organisations from Karbi Anglong in the peace and development process last year. The Bodo Accord also opened doors for permanent peace. Bru-Reang issue of 25 years too was solved, he claimed. A solution for border problems was sought in the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. “The agreement reached between Assam and Meghalaya will create impetus for development aspirations of the region,” he said.

Modi laid the foundation stone for a veterinary college in Diphu, degree college in west Karbi Anglong and agricultural college in Kolonga. The projects, estimated to cost ₹500 crore, is expected to bring new opportunities for skilling and employment in the region. Modi also inaugurated seven cancer hospitals and laid the foundation stones for seven more across Assam. He laid the foundation stone for more than 2,950 Amrit Sarovar pro-jects too. The state will develop the Amrit Sarovars at a cumulative cost of around ₹1,150 crore.

Addressing a rally in Dibrugarh later, Modi said digitisation of health service was on to provide quick and effective medical care. “16 new AIIMS and one medical college in each district would be set up to give best medical treatment to the people of the country. Efforts to teach students medicine in local languages are on. ”