Amit Shah Credits Modi Govt for Northeast’s 70% Drop in Violence, Promises Jobs and Development

Agartala: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, addressing the North-East Students’ & Youth Parliament in New Delhi on March 12, highlighted a 70% drop in violence over the past decade, crediting the Modi government’s focus on connectivity and development.

The event, organized by the Student Experience in Inter-State Living (SEIL), provided a platform to discuss the Northeast’s challenges and achievements. In his address, Shah traced the region’s economic decline, stating, “The Northeast, endowed with abundant natural resources, contributed more than 20 percent to India’s GDP before independence, a figure that has now declined to below 7 percent. The Northeast has the capacity to attract the entire world from a tourism perspective.”

Shah praised the region’s human capital and cultural richness, saying, “The Northeast is home to India’s youth with the highest IQ and the most hardworking tribal communities. It is an invaluable jewel of Indian culture. The region hosts over 220 tribal groups, with more than 160 tribes residing here, over 200 dialects and languages, 50 unique festivals, and more than 30 globally renowned dance forms. The Northeast boasts over 78 unique musical instruments and more than 100 distinct types of attire. Such diversity in handicrafts, artistry, and cuisine is found only here.”

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However, he acknowledged past setbacks, noting, “Despite these remarkable attributes, the Northeast lagged in development because various forms of delusion and conflict gave rise to terrorism and separatism. Violence, shutdowns, drugs, blockades, and provincialism fragmented the region, distancing it from the rest of India and even among its own states. As a result, the Northeast remained backward for 40 years, with terrorist and separatist groups as the biggest obstacles.”

Shah credited successive BJP-led governments for prioritizing the region, saying, “Whenever our party came to power, we focused on the Northeast. A separate ministry was established under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government. Prime Minister Modi placed the Northeast at the centre of every government scheme, reducing the distance between it and the rest of India. By 2027, the capital of every Northeastern state will be connected by rail, air, and road networks.”

The Home Minister highlighted peace efforts, stating, “In the last 10 years, the Northeast has experienced peace. Between 2004 and 2014, there were 11,000 incidents of violence, but from 2014 to 2024, this dropped to 3,428—a reduction of about 70 percent. Deaths of security personnel decreased by 70 percent, and civilian deaths dropped by 89 percent. Over 10,500 rebels laid down arms and joined the mainstream after 12 significant agreements with insurgent groups.”

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Shah emphasized infrastructure investments, noting, “Nearly Rs. 90,000 crore has been spent on roads, with Rs. 41,000 crore for connectivity and Rs. 47,000 crore for rural roads. Additionally, 64 new air routes were introduced, Rs. 4,800 crore was allocated for the Vibrant Village program, and Rs. 18,000 crore for railways.” He cited projects like the Brahmaputra rail-cum-road bridge and a Rs. 27,000 crore semiconductor plant in Assam, adding, “An additional Rs. 2.5 lakh crore in investments is coming to the Northeast.”

Looking ahead, Shah said, “In the next 10 years, no child from the Northeast will need to seek employment elsewhere—they will find jobs here. By 2047, India will become a fully developed nation, and the Northeast will play a key role in this collective resolve of 140 crore people.”

Shah also highlighted educational advancements, stating, “The New Education Policy emphasizes preserving our languages. MBBS seats increased from 51,000 in 2014 to 1,51,000 today, and medical colleges rose from 387 to 766.” He concluded, “The Northeast is close to the heart of Prime Minister Modi and the government. Beyond budget allocations, we are fully committed to its development, unity, and peace.”