AIZAWL, Jun 12: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today stressed on the need for a comprehensive development plan for Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts to increase entrepreneurship and employability so that the people of these districts do not deviate from mainstream.
Such efforts will go a long way in addressing acute poverty and lack of employment in these districts, said the Chief Minister while addressing a review meeting to discuss India-Myanmar border issues chaired by Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh.
He said significant portion of population are also engaged in illegal opium production and trade, which has to be tackled aggressively using two pronged strategy of de-addiction centres and skill development centres.
Since the terrain of TCL region is good for cash crops, Spice Board of India and Krishi Vigyan Kendra may be advised to open their offices in these 3 districts, said the Chief Minister.
He informed that state government has prepared a proposal of around Rs 985 Crore as a fresh special package for TCL districts and requested the home ministry to consider the new proposal favourably.
The Chief Minister also suggested to take adequate steps to prevent migration from the border areas and sought central assistances for rapid economic development of the border areas along the Indo-Myanmar border.
He emphasized that trade between the two countries need to be encouraged and more border haats be opened for the purpose. He apprised the Home Minister about an MoU that was signed in the year 2012 between India and Myanmar for establishment of Border Haats along the Indo-Myanmar Border to facilitate border trade, which included one at Nampong (Pangsau pass).
Urging for strengthening and modernization of police force in the state, the Chief Minister proposed for setting up of a Forensic Science Laboratory in Arunachal Pradesh in one of the three districts of TCL.
He also requested the Home Ministry to expedite the final approval for construction and upgradation of 20 Police Station buildings and other infrastructural facilities under special package for TCL districts.
The Chief Minister expressed his thankfulness to Prime Minister for his continued faith in recognizing the potential of the North Eastern region and his commitment to help the region overcome the teething troubles so as to truly become the new engine of India’s growth.
He also thanked Union Home Minister for his continued focus and vision towards the development of States situated along the international borders.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju and Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein also spoke on the occasion.
The meeting also discussed on BADP projects, streamlining the Free Movement Regime (FMR), works relating to boundary survey and other co-ordination issues between the states and the border guarding force.
The Chief Ministers of Nagaland (Shurhozelie Liezietsu), Manipur (N. Biren Singh) and Mizoram (Lal Thanhawla) attended the meeting, including Directors General of Police (DGPs) of the respective states and Director General of Assam Rifles Lt General Shokin Chauhan and senior officials from the concerned central ministries.