SHILLONG, Dec 7 - Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonnowal today said that the biggest challenge before the Northeast is to free the region from �corruption, terrorism and infiltration.� Sonowal said it is a challenge before everyone to make the region free from corruption, terrorism and infiltration and for that sacrifices must be made.
The Assam Chief Minister was addressing the 42nd passing out parade of 98 police officials (deputy superintendents of police and sub-inspectors) at the North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA) at Umiam near here.
Presently, Sonowal said, there are challenges to peace in numerous forms with different subversive forces at work. �Far more than external aggression, we need to be concerned about internal security,� he said.
Pointing out that globalisation and technological advancement has given rise to new form of criminal activities, he urged the police officials to acquire adequate skills and knowledge to tackle these threats.
�The most dangerous threat today is terrorism. Today�s terrorists are most sophisticated. They have transnational linkages and adequate resources. With knowledge, skills and determination we have to succeed against these elements,� he said.
He further urged the new police officials to maintain law and order with honour and dignity and create a peaceful environment for everyone, especially older citizens, women and children.
Stating that police have to bridge the gap and work together to establish friendship among the states of the Northeast, Sonowal said, the new recruits should take their eleven-month bonding at NEPA forward.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s initiatives to develop the Northeast, he said the region has been given plenty of development opportunities currently and these should be taken advantage of to transform the region.
He said, the present demonetisation policy would flush out black money and added developmental initiatives on space technology and digital banking would benefit the region and the country.
There were 58 new recruits from Assam out of the total 98. The rest were from Arunachal Pradesh (15), Tripura (9), Nagaland (7) Mizoram (5), Manipur (2) and one each from Meghalaya and Sikkim.
Kakoli Banya Boruah from Tinsukia, Assam, who commanded a platoon during the parade, said the training brought out the best of the potential from individual trainees.