Imphal, Feb 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that with the initiative of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, over 9,500 militants of various outfits in the north-eastern region have surrendered to the government and peace has been prevailing in Manipur and other states of the region.

The Home Minister, while addressing election rallies in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, said that the government would discuss with the Kuki militant outfits in Manipur and expected to resolve their problems, if any, to bring them back to the mainstream of life.

Due to the unwavering commitment of PM @narendramodi Ji and CM @NBirenSingh Ji, Manipur has successfully come out of the tradition of blockades, violence and corruption.

The people of Manipur are all set to re-elect the BJP govt.

Pictures from the Churachandpur rally. pic.twitter.com/UuLeSGMEn7

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 23, 2022

“In Assam, the historic Bodo accord was signed. A large number of Bodo militants and extremists in Karbi Anglong district have surrendered to the government. Instead of arms and ammunition, the former militants now carry laptops, keys of industrial enterprises, bikes and vehicles,” Shah asserted.

“First time in 45 years after the BJP government came to power in Manipur, peace has been restored in the state,” he said.

Slamming the 15-year-rule of Congress in Manipur, the senior saffron party leader said that the culture of instability, inequality and insurgency have been turned into infrastructure, innovation and integration in Manipur by the BJP government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

Stating that blockade and bandh culture has changed into a growth mission, he alleged that bandh and blockade, arms trafficking, insurgency, corruption, drugs trade in both plains and mountainous areas were the order of the day during the Congress regime.

Highlighting Modi’s vision for the development of the north-eastern region, the Home Minister said that the Prime Minister, unlike his predecessors, has visited the region more than 40 times.

Referring to the feats of Olympians — Indian boxing legend M.C. Mary Kom and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, Shah said that India’s first Sports University is being set up in Manipur and the state would be made a sports hub of the country.

“Over Rs 800 crore projects have been undertaken for the development of sports in Manipur and Khelo India Centre would be set up in all the 16 districts. International standard sports complex would also be developed in the state,” he said.

Highlighting the benefit of lakhs of people in PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Home Minister said that an “Atmanirbhar Manipur” would be made and the state would develop a model state by the BJP government.

Congress leaders including Jairam Ramesh have criticised both Prime Minister and Home Minister for not talking about the state’s fundamental issues including the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).