SHILLONG, Jan 23: Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) today while participating in the 69^th Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC) here in the Meghalaya capital reiterated the need for more Central assistance in development of the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

Due to difficult terrain and inaccessible mountains in the border areas there is an urgent need for building roads and bringing development in these strategic locations, the Governor reasoned, adding that although during the last five to six years the Central government has assisted the state in this regard, the need for more infrastructural development particularly along Indo-China border still remains. Highlighting the need for enhancing electricity power grid, potable water distribution system and increasing the number of Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Arunachal Pradesh, he hoped the Union Home Ministry will help the state in addressing the issues. The Governor also highlighted the need of funds to construct foot suspension bridges at remote places for improving the mobility of people and Indian Army units.

Briefing on law and order, security and public welfare issues, the Governor informed that the State government is paying full attention to these in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and four police stations viz. Namsai, Roing, Mahadevpur and Sunpura are under the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and appropriate counter-insurgency measures are being rolled out. He further informed that the state has recently appointed a Security Adviser who is an officer in the rank of Major General in the Army. Deliberating on the state’s current internal security and law and order status, he informed that although efforts are on to strengthen the State Police set-up through training, bring working efficiency etc., there is need for further Central assistance in reinforcing the crime and criminal monitoring network system in each district.

While requesting the NEC Chairman and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the NEC Vice Chairman and Union Minister of State, DoNER Dr. Jitendra Singh to continue providing necessary help for development of the state, the Governor asserted that the state’s people are following the ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Viswas’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also expressed gratitude on behalf of the state’s people to the Prime Minister for his dynamic leadership in guiding the country through the COVID pandemic.

Along with the Home Minister and DoNER Minister, Governors and Chief Ministers of the Northeast states attended the two-day plenary. PRO Raj Bhavan