Shah reviews Indo-Bangla border situation in Assam, interacts with locals

Mankachar (Assam), May 9 (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday reviewed the situation along the Assam-Bangladesh border from the Mankachar sector of the state.

Shah, who arrived at the Kamakhya Hilltop via a chopper earlier in the day, offered prayers at the temple there before leaving for Mankachar.

He was welcomed by officials of the BSF and the state government at the border outpost.

The home minister, accompanied by BSF officials, reviewed the border situation from an observation tower set up for the occasion. He was also seen interacting with local villagers, who had gathered in the area.

A flag march was conducted by the border personnel of both India and Bangladesh in the presence of the union minister.

Shah is likely to discuss issues related to infiltration, cattle-smuggling, boundary fencing, river patrolling with senior BSF officials at the Sadartilla camp, sources in the paramilitary force said.

The home minister, who is in Assam on a two-day visit, is scheduled to attend several programmes on Monday and Tuesday.

‘Centre committed to develop Bodo majority areas’

Tamulpur (Assam), May 9 (PTI): Shah stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to all-round development of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam with both the Centre and the state government fulfilling 90 per cent of the Bodo Accord clauses.

BTR comprises Bodo community majority districts of the North-eastern state.

Seven years ago, the BJP had promised to drive out insurgency from the boundaries of Assam and the home ministry under the guidance of the prime minister have brought most militant outfits to sign peace accords with 9,000 militants having surrendered so far, Shah said here.

The central government in January 2020 signed an agreement Bodo Peace Accord – with insurgent group National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) providing political and economic bonanza.

Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony for a Central Workshop and Stores for the Central Armed Paramilitary Force and launch of a centre for Khadi and Village Industries here, Shah said that both are examples of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and will provide employment opportunities to youths.

The union home minister, who is on a two-day visit to the state, earlier visited the Mankachar border outpost along the Indo-Bangladesh border and reviewed the prevailing security situation with senior BSF officials.