Framework Agreement at final stage, says Rajnath but spells out no details
Source: The Sangai Express

Chandigarh, October 18 2016: Addressing the two days Regional Editors' Conference at Hotel Mount View in Chandigarh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the porous border areas in the North East were used for smuggling drugs and narcotic substances and added that the Government of India is considering to wipe out unlawful activities along the border by holding diplomatic talk with Myanmar Government.

The two days conference began on October 17 and concluded today.

The Union Home Minister said that the North Eastern region is by and large peaceful though insurgency has plagued the region since India became a free country.

Rajnath Singh home minister presiding regional editors conference in chandigarh on october 17 2016

The 'Framework Agreement' signed between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM on August 3 last year has reached the final stage, he said adding he won't disclose anything more than that.

Since BJP came to power at the Centre, the region has seen dramatic reduction in insurgency related activities, he said and added that the violent activities carried out by insurgents have been reduced to the lowest level.

He said the Indian military carried out surgical strikes at the border areas of Myanmar in reply to the killing of 16 Indian soldiers by nscn-k in Manipur last year.

Replying to a specific question about the involvement of hill based UG organisations in the conduct of Assembly and Parliamentary election, Rajnath said he had noted the matter.

The Union Home Minister was told that the ug organisations could use anything under its disposal to ensure victory of the candidates of their choice and in reply he said that the Government of India would look into it.

Governor of Haryana and Union Territory of Chandi-garh VP Singh Badnore inaugurated the two days conference by lighting the candle.

Union MoS for DONER Dr Jitendra, who also addressed the gathering said that major issues facing NE region particularly Manipur is connectivity.

The Government has plans to take up road construction in Manipur and other States jointly with NEC and DONER.

He said preparation of DPR has been simplified to speed up clearance of the construction programme.

On the construction of sports university in Manipur he said the controversy that engulfed land allocation had delayed setting up the sports university.

The Minister was reminded that the land was available and Manipur Chief Minister had said the land was made available more than the actual requirement.

But he insisted there was a controversy.

He was also told of the need for providing financial assistance to the unemployed youth as the number of unemployed youth in Manipur had reached five lakhs.