Shillong: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the Northeast has largely overcome the challenges of insurgency and should now focus on safeguarding citizens’ rights, embracing emerging technologies, and accelerating economic growth.
Addressing the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council in Shillong, Shah said the region has undergone a “qualitative transformation” over the past 12 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia, Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and DoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju, along with governors and chief ministers from all eight Northeastern states.
Shah highlighted the Centre’s efforts to bring peace to the region, stating that more than 12 peace accords have been signed over the past decade and over 10,800 former insurgents have laid down arms and joined the mainstream. He claimed that civilian casualties linked to insurgency have declined by 86 per cent during the period.
“The Northeast is no longer known for conflict but for coexistence and harmony,” Shah said, adding that improved road, rail and air connectivity has significantly reduced the region’s isolation from the rest of the country.
Calling the Northeast an “opportunity hotspot,” the Home Minister said investments worth nearly ₹4.25 lakh crore have been attracted to the region. He cited major projects including a ₹27,000-crore semiconductor plant in Assam, the proposed Namrup Ammonia-Urea Complex, and efforts to develop the Northeast into a healthcare hub serving neighbouring countries.
Shah urged all Northeastern states to strengthen the implementation of single-window clearance systems for investors and ensure the timely development of multimodal logistics hubs in Guwahati, Imphal and Agartala.
He also called for greater self-reliance in agriculture and allied sectors, particularly in the production of fish, eggs and milk. Announcing a renewed push in dairy development, Shah said the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) would supply more than 50,000 milch animals annually to Northeastern states from the next financial year while helping establish cooperative networks for milk collection and marketing.
Emphasising the importance of preserving the region’s unique cultural heritage, Shah said the Northeast’s more than 200 tribal communities and over 200 languages and dialects must be protected.
“The loss of even one language or dialect would be a loss for the entire nation,” he said, urging states to actively pursue Geographical Indication (GI) tags for the region’s products. According to Shah, around 215 crops and products from the Northeast have the potential to receive GI recognition.
The Home Minister also encouraged states to capitalise on the region’s potential in wellness tourism and traditional healing systems under the Healing India Mission, while leveraging its rich natural resources for sustainable development.
On law enforcement, Shah said that with insurgency largely under control, states should shift their focus towards protecting the constitutional rights of citizens, especially women, children and economically weaker sections. He stressed the need for technology-driven policing, faster justice delivery under the new criminal laws, and greater use of forensic science to improve conviction rates.
Shah also outlined a vision for making the Northeast a hub for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics and blockchain. He said the region’s youth possess immense potential in digital skills and called for efforts to attract IT industries and data centres.
“The Northeast has immense potential in hydropower, solar energy and technology-driven industries. By aligning education, infrastructure and industrial policy, the region can emerge as a major growth centre for the country,” he said.
The Home Minister further said that the Northeast is well positioned to expand trade with Southeast Asian nations and the broader Indo-Pacific region, citing improved connectivity and strategic infrastructure such as the Sabroom Land Port.