Modi govt to go ahead for land swapping deal
The BJP-led Indian government will go ahead with operationalising the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today asserting that it would be a benefit for the nation in the long run.
“I know Assam’s problems. I assure you all there will be no compromise on Assam’s security. Land swapping will be done for a permanent solution,” he told a meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party workers’ meeting in Guwahati, capital city of Assam state.
“I know the sentiment of Assamese people regarding this land swapping deal. I assure you, we will move ahead considering the country’s and Assam’s welfare. Assam will gain in the long run even if it looks like losing in short term,” he said.
“I will make arrangements that this deal benefits Assam in the long run,” Modi said.
Modi’s comments came days after he strongly assured his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina in this regard during a sideline meeting at the 18th Saarc summit in Katmandu, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
A few days earlier, the standing committee of Indian Rajya Sabha, upper House of parliament, cleared a constitution amendment bill to ratify the deal with Bangladesh.
His assurance towards the people of Assam comes in the backdrop of resistance from the regional unit of BJP and Asom Gana Parishad on arguments that Assam will lose more territory in exchange of enclaves envisaged under the deal.
Modi sought the people’s consent for the land swapping deal adding that everything will be done for development and job generation in the North Eastern part of India.
He said the deal would be used to stop infiltration into Assam from Bangladesh.
The Indian premier said his government will close all roads to the forces destroying Assam “on a daily basis” and the law will take its own course to punish them.
The land swapping deal is expected to be placed in the current winter parliament session. It would need the support two-thirds majority of Rajya Sabha where BJP does not have majority, and in Lok Sabha where the party has favourable arithmetic.
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