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Modi assuages Christians in Meghalaya

By Biplab Kr Dey

TURA, Feb 22 - The small village of Shyamnagar under Phulbari constituency saw a sea of humanity descend upon the venue of the first-ever visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Garo Hills with over 70,000 people attending his poll rally.

Assuring that BJP had a single agenda of development, the PM assuaged the sentiments of Christians relating examples of how his government had helped Christians whenever there was a situation.

�We have not remained a silent spectator to incidents where Christian missionaries and minority workers have been terrorised in conflict zones,� said Modi while narrating efforts to rescue of 46 nurses from Kerala after they were kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq.

�Fr Alex Premkumar, a missionary working in Afghanistan, had been languishing in terrorist captivity for 18 long months. Even his family had given up on him though we did not. Our government worked tirelessly to ensure his safe return and when I called his sister to inform of his rescue, she could not believe the PM was calling and also that her brother was alive,� said Modi. He also gave details about how his government helped to get another Christian missionary, Father Tom, safely back from Yemen.

The Prime Minister had earlier asked the people to demand accountability from the Congress Government in the State. �Landing in Phulbari I am amazed by the support. This is a call for �Parivartan� in Meghalaya and people are yearning for a change. �For 50 years, there has been nothing. We ask you to give us five years and let us undo the damage of the last 50 years. Try us and if we fail, throw us out,� said Modi.

�Without good roads there cannot be development but in Garo Hills roads are becoming fields due to total disrepair. In five years I assure you we will bring the change people want,� said Modi.

He went on to speak about the slew of developmental funds being released annually to the State most of which he alleged was not even utilised. �Eighty per cent of the money spent in the State comes from Centre. Successive governments watched without taking action as funds were misappropriated every year. But when our government came to power in Delhi we sought accountability,� claimed Modi.

This accountability has led to the States not being able to continue their earlier routine of siphoning funds. He also pointed out to monthly visits by Central Ministers to help with the development of NE.

�After we asked for utilisation of the funds and later insisted on spot inspection of the project sites, the Congress Government in Meghalaya is now reluctant to seek project funds from New Delhi,� stated Modi.

The PM informed that Rs 470 crore was given for roads under PMGSY by Central Government and NDA Government at Centre had enhanced funds for highways from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore in the State.

�Despite the Centre releasing money to construct 21,000 houses for the poor, the Congress Government has stalled the construction of close to 16,000 of the sanctioned homes,� added PM.

The rally saw the presence of BJP candidates from Garo Hills along with Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nalin Kohli and Shibun Lyngdoh among others.

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