SHILLONG, Feb 5: Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju claimed that majority of the misguided youth in the Northeastern states have started returning back to the mainstream ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister in 2014.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday at the state BJP office, Rijiju said that some misguided youths are left out and efforts are on to bring them back to the mainstream.
“Without peace, development is difficult and they need to go hand in hand,” he said.
Asked about the IED blasts in the state and the Centre’s decision on peace talks with the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), the minister said the central government is there to assist the state to ensure that the law-and-order situation remains under control.
“When it comes to larger issues like terrorism, there has to be close coordination and sharing of intelligence and political understanding. Right now the Meghalaya government and the Centre are working in close coordination,” Rijiju said.
Boundary disputes
Speaking on the boundary disputes between the Northeastern states, Rijiju said the Union government is trying to amicably resolve all the issues. He batted for peaceful negotiations and formal talks among the Northeastern states so as to get the issues resolved in the most appropriate manner.
“We must co-exist together and peacefully and show our ability to handle such issues,” he said.
“I think the boundary disputes will be resolved with the focussed attention being given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and with his guidance and support provided to each state government,” Rijiju said.
Admitting that issues like boundary are sensitive, he said, “It must be dealt with proper care. After all the NE states are not enemies but seven sisters, and eight including Sikkim.”
Rijiju also spoke in detail about the recent Budget saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s love for the region is not confined to token representation and is backed by provision for critical support for infrastructure development.
Asserting that the Centre is leaving no stone unturned to ensure development of the Northeastern region.
He pointed out that the total allocation for the Northeast has gone up from Rs 68,000 crore last year to Rs 76,000 crore — a quantum jump of Rs 8,000 crore. Apart from this, an amount of Rs 1,500 crore has also been sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East, he said.
“Now it is up to the states to utilise all the budgetary support,” Rijiju said.
“We have a friendly government in Meghalaya in MDA and I am sure that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will ensure that all the programmes and funds allocated will be implemented effectively in Meghalaya,” he added.