Govt succeeded in bringing Delhi to northeast's doorstep in 4 years: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that there was a time when the northeast felt that Delhi was "distant", but within the last four years the government had succeeded in bringing the national capital to its doorstep.

The prime minister, in his Independence Day speech, also said Tripura, Meghalaya and many districts of Arunachal Pradesh have been liberated from the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act (AFSPA) due to the efforts of security forces, endeavours of state governments, and the implementation of developmental schemes by the Centre and states.

Modi pointed out that several districts of Arunachal Pradesh have been freed from this act, with only a few left.

The AFSPA empowers security forces to conduct operations, arrest anyone, anywhere without prior notice.

Modi, in his speech, said the impression of the Northeast has changed now and it was visible with the achievements on the sports field.

He said news coming from the northeast was about violence earlier, but now it was about the last village in the region being electrified, about highways, railways, airways, waterways and information ways.

"Our youths from the North East are establishing BPO in their areas. The North East region has turned to be a hub of organic farming. Sports university is being set up in North East," he said highlighting the development initiatives in the region.

"There was a time when the North-East used to feel that Delhi is very distant. Within four years, we have brought Delhi to the doorsteps of North-East," he said.

Modi also said that due to the efforts of the armed forces and developmental policies, left wing extremism was now restricted to 90 districts from 126 districts.