Land deal to ensure Assam’s security: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday tried to get his party cadres and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on board to let the government go ahead with the land swapping deal. He said that his government will ensure steps are taken to stop inflow of illegal migrants from Bangladesh with which India will operationalise the land swapping deal for a permanent solution to deal with the problem of infiltration.

“I will make such arrangements, after which all roads will be closed for Bangladeshis coming and destroying Assam daily. Believe in my word that land swapping deal will be done for a permanent solution to this problem of Assam,” said Modi while addressing BJP workers at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.

The deal relates to demarcation of boundary under the Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries. His assurance comes against the backdrop of strong reservations voiced by BJP’s state unit and AGP, which have been opposing the deal on the ground that Assam will stand to lose more territory as compared to Bangladesh in the exchange of enclaves.

Modi said handing over of land (to Bangladesh) will be done only to ensure security of people of Assam and the border and not for ‘any harm’ to the state. ‘I am saying this with full responsibility’. On the land swapping agreement, Modi said he is aware of sentiments of the people of the state and there will be no compromise to Assam’s security. “I know Assam’s problems. I assure you, we will move ahead (with the agreement) considering the country’s and Assam’s welfare. Assam will gain in long term even if it looks like losing in short term,” he said, adding the law will take its own course to punish all those creating problems in Assam.

Modi said the people have seen almost all parties, including those run by families, in government and are now seeing the BJP rule at the Centre. “BJP doesn’t do politics on the basis of casteism, communalism or regionalism. We don’t accept that road. BJP always did politics of nationalism. We believe in development with all and for all,” he added.

Modi also said his government has given priority to development and job generation in North East so that the eight states in the region can progress at a rapid pace. He stressed on augmenting road connectivity and other infrastructure in Manipur so that tourism could flourish and bring development along with it.

Making a strong pitch for developing communication infrastructure system at the concluding day of Sangai Manipur Tourism Festival, he said the state needed better road connectivity to enable more tourists to visit the state. 

He said north eastern states were “enchanting” places and all efforts should be made to develop the region to bolster tourism.