GUWAHATI/SHILLONG/ITANAGAR/AGARTALA/IMPHAL, 27 Jan: Republic Day passed off peacefully in the Northeast, with colourful parades and functions held in all state capitals.
Most state governors and chief ministers spoke of the long-awaited solution to boundary issues between the states, many of which are now near finalization.
After a turbulent winter which saw several bomb blasts and militant attacks in Manipur, Meghalaya and elsewhere, a peaceful Republic Day with many militant organizations, including Assam’s ULFA (I) shunning their traditional bandh calls, was seen as a sign that work on peace pacts in various states was finally paying off.
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi hoisted the tricolour in Guwahati, and pointed out that work on resolving the Assam-Meghalaya boundary conflict was nearing fruition with committees submitting their reports for six areas of difference during the first phase to chief ministers of both the states.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in his Republic Day speech in Shillong pledged to resolve the boundary dispute in its entirety. “We will work to ensure that the remaining six areas of differences are also followed (up) with,” he said.
Mukhi also pointed out that, since the boundary clash between the armed police of Assam and Mizoram, the two states – Assam and Mizoram – signed a joint resolution at Aizawl on 5 August, 2021, following which all-out efforts are being made to normalize movement of traffic between the states. Talks are also on with other states to settle the long running boundary between the states, the governor indicated.
In Imphal, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that the people of Manipur should work together for a peaceful, prosperous and developed state at a function at the Manipur Rifles parade ground.
“We are able to celebrate this day because of the efforts of our forefathers who fought for India’s freedom,” Singh said. Manipur, which witnessed a sudden spike in militancy, including a horrific ambush of an Assam Rifles convoy in November last year, in which, among others, the colonel commanding the unit, his wife and young son were killed, was peaceful.
In Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh Governor BD Mishra said the decades-old interstate boundary dispute with Assam was nearing settlement.
“On 24 January, Chief Minister Pema Khandu met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati and the boundary resolution talks are progressing in the right direction,” Mishra said.
In Agartala, Tripura Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya unfurled the national flag at the Assam Rifles ground on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day.
Arya said the Tripura government gives priority to three Ns: “Niyat (intention), niti (policy) and niyam (rule).” The governor also said that the law and order situation has improved in the state and the government has taken firm steps to put an end to the drug menace. (PTI)
