Growth of North East region high on Govt.'s agenda: Jitendra Singh

Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office Dr Jitendra Singh arrived in Manipur on Thursday and assured that the growth of the North East region is high on the agenda of the NDA government at the Centre.

"In wake of the unfortunate incident that took place a few days ago, the government is certainly concerned because under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the entire North East region has embarked on a development course at a very fast track. Therefore, the growth of the North East region is very high on the agenda of the present government," Dr Singh told the media.

"Any incident which disturbs the peace and tranquillity of the region would interfere with the kind of development agenda the government has envisaged for the North East. Therefore [we are here] to ensure that such incidents do not happen again and also to reassure the society at large that the Government of India is there with them and is committed to create an atmosphere of peace," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday directed Dr Singh to travel to Manipur to take stock of the situation there.

The Prime Minister's directive came after the army engaged two separate groups of militants along the Indo-Myanmar border after an ambush in Manipur left 18 army personnel dead, with a further 11 injured.

According to reports, Dr Singh will interact with members of civil society, political parties and security officials. He is also expected to visit Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.