Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Peace pact inked with 5 insurgent groups

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reflects their trust in Modi ji’s leadership,” he said.

The agreement promises an investment of ₹1,000 crores for developmen­t of the Karbi Anglong in next five years, reservatio­n for the people of the region, rehabilita­tion to the surrendere­d militants and setting up of Karbi Welfare Council by Assam government among other initiative­s.

“I want to assure everyone that we will implement this accord in a time-bound manner,” Shah said.

The home minister added that the Centre and state government are committed to all-round developmen­t of Karbi Anglong and there will be peace in the region. “We not only sign peace accords but implement them within our time too,” he said, citing the example of similar peace pacts signed with other insurgent groups of the Northeast -- the NDFB, NLFT and Bru groups.

Shah said ever since the Modi government came to power, its focus in the Northeast is not only to ensure peace but also overall developmen­t. “We have ensured that there is all round peace, no violence, no blast, no firing in the Northeast,” he said.

Shah said it is the policy of the

Modi government that those who give up arms are brought into mainstream and we talk to them more politely and give them more than they ask for.

He said due to this policy only, the country is getting rid of old problems one by one that the Modi government had inherited.

The accord is significan­t as Karbi Anglong, which is the territory of ethnic Karbi tribals, has seen years of violence, killings and abduction in the rebels’ fight for a separate homeland. Union minister and former Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, who was present on the occasion, appreciate­d the efforts of the prime minister and the home minister in bringing peace in Assam and the Northeast.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said it was a historic day as the militants of these five insurgent groups will now join mainstream and work for the developmen­t of Karbi Anglong.the peace agreement will ensure greater devolution of autonomy to the KACC, protection of identity, language, culture of Karbi people and focussed developmen­t of the council area, without affecting the territoria­l and administra­tive integrity of Assam.

 ?? PTI ?? Union home minister Amit Shah greets members from different groups of Assam in New Delhi on Saturday.
PTI Union home minister Amit Shah greets members from different groups of Assam in New Delhi on Saturday.

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