Modi promises to develop Assam, N-E

We will crack down on illegal migration into state, says prime minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured Assam of all steps to develop the state as well as the North-East and promised to look into its pressing issues, including illegal immigration.

Modi was on his first visit to Assam after becoming the prime minister. Modi, addressing a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally at Sarsujai ground in Guwahati on Sunday, said Assam and other North-Eastern states “will see unprecedented development.”

 He also touched upon the sensitive subject of insurgency and said his government would not bow down to pressure from anybody. 

“There will be no compromise on Assam’s security. We will crack down on illegal migration into Assam,” he said.

“I know about all the problems in Assam. There will be no compromise in ensuring the state’s security. No power can stop us from working for the people here. We will not allow any troublemakers in the North-East. All of them will be taken to task even if they have not been punished earlier,” Modi said. 

His statement comes within days of separatist outfit Ulfa’s Paresh Baruah threatening to attack BJP workers in the state if their demands are not met.

Modi reminded people of the promises he had made at an earlier rally in Guwahati before the Lok Sabha elections.

“The government in Delhi is dedicated to fulfill all the promises I made here. We’ll do everything necessary for the growth of not just Assam but the whole region. We’ll ensure development and jobs for the region’s youth,” he said. 

He also assured the gathering that land transfer would be done in such a manner that in the long run it favoured Assam and its growth.

Dig at Congress

Modi also took potshots at the Congress, which currently rules the North-Eastern state.

“The people have seen governments run by the Congress, Left Parties, regional parties, family-run parties and they have also seen governments run by the BJP not just in states but now also at the Centre. We have always fought elections on the issue of development and have set the agenda for others. Now, all parties have been being forced to focus on this. We have only one mantra and that is development.”

Modi said the BJP was making inroads into states like Maharashtra and Haryana where the party hardly had any presence. He urged party workers to start a membership drive, which was recently launched by party president Amit Shah. 

“I might have been given a responsibility by the party to work as the prime minister but like you all, I’m a worker of the BJP. Our national president has given us some work. Give a missed call to our toll free number and become BJP members. If all our members bring in 10 others with them, our party will grow,” he said.