Land swap pact with Dhaka will be the solution, says the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that his government would utilise the land transfer agreement with Bangladesh in a manner that might seem to be an immediate loss to Assam but serve the security interests of the State in the long term.

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party workers at the Sarusajai Stadium here, Mr. Modi said his government would utilise the agreement to seal all routes across the international border through which “illegal” Bangladeshi immigrants had been entering Assam and creating havoc in the State.

“There will be no compromise on security,” he said. “I know the sentiments of the people. We will always protect the interests of Assam and the country.”

CM stand

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been critical of both the BJP and the Asom Gana Parishad for opposing the land swap deal signed by the previous United Progressive Alliance government with Bangladesh.

He has maintained that Assam will not lose land as projected by the two parties.

Mr. Modi, in his speech, warned the forces trying to harm the interests of Assam and the northeast. “Such forces should know that the government has changed in Delhi and the law will not spare them now,” he said. “The development of the entire northeast region, including Assam, is a priority for his government.”

The BJP, he said, had compelled all political parties to make development the prime issue instead of issues of caste and region. “We have turned the issue of development into an agenda of the country.”

Jan Dhan Yojana

Mr. Modi said his government had directed banks to serve the interests of the poor people under the Jan Dhan Yojana.

Over the past six decades, only one crore bank accounts were opened each year. Now, under the new scheme, one crore bank accounts were being opened every week.