Govt’s ‘Act East policy’ has borne fruit in northeast: Amit Shah

GUWAHATI/IMPHAL: On a tour of the northeastern region, Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said Congress coined the ‘look east policy’ but failed to deliver, while in contrast, the BJP government implemented its ‘Act East policy’, paving the way for peace and development in the once-disturbed region.
Addressing a large gathering at Moirang in Manipur, Shah said: “Congress coined the term ‘look east’ and hence kept on only looking…. but the Narendra Modi government has adopted the ‘Act East policy’ and we are working day in and day out to develop and bring about peace in northeastern India”. He added that the Centre’s vision of mainstreaming the northeast has borne fruit with development becoming apparent in all the states in the region.
After laying the foundation of nine schemes worth Rs 1060 crore and inaugurating 12 projects worth Rs 300 crore, Shah said: “This is the difference between Congress and BJP. In the last eight years, the Modi government has spent Rs 3.45 lakh crore for northeastern India, which is equal to what had been spent for the region in the 25 years before it.”
Shah said Manipur has marched forward without any bandhs and blockades and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been lifted in six districts of the state.
“Bandhs, blockades and various issues that plagued the state have been replaced with infrastructure, connectivity, start-ups, progress and development in various sectors in the state. With unprecedented development in the northeast under the BJP government, we are now inching towards becoming a major contributor to the nation’s growth and economy,” he added.
Shah unfurled the 165-foot-long tricolor at the Indian National Army (INA) martyrs memorial complex and said the present government in the state is undertaking massive operations against drug trafficking and abuse to make Manipur drug-free.
Accompanied by CM N Biren Singh, Shah also inaugurated the 122-foot-high Sagol Kangjei (polo) statue at Heingang, the CM’s constituency in Imphal East district.
During his next stop at Dimapur in Nagaland, Shah was greeted by members of the civil society, who demanded the signing of the peace settlement for decades-old Naga dispute before the next assembly election. Shah highlighted how peace had returned in Manipur and the region was on a path to progress.
Seven outfits of Nagaland which are in peace talks under the umbrella of Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) Thursday said they want a solution and not an election.
"We have lost our faith in the democratic process and therefore strongly demand a political solution before the election,” NPAC stated.