ITANAGAR, Feb 20 - The frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday celebrated the 34th Statehood Day in a grand manner with Union Home Minister Amit Shah gracing the main function at IG Park here as the chief guest.
The northeastern state attained statehood on February 20, 1987.
Stating that the Northeast ever remained an important region of India, Shah said after Narendra Modi became the country�s Prime Minister, the region got connected with mainland India by heart. He said the Central government was committed to protect the cultures and traditions of the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh.
Shah assured the people of Arunachal Pradesh that the Centre will not �touch� the Article 371 that grants some special provisions to the northeastern states, while asserting that Article 371 is intact and it has no connection to abrogation of Article 370.
�After abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, rumours were spread that Article 371 would also be abrogated. Today, on the foundation day of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, I want to tell the people of entire Northeast that nobody can abrogate the Article 371 nor any attempt will be made to do so,� he said.
Hailing the northeastern region�s culture and heritage, he said the country�s development is incomplete without the development of the Northeast. �The development of the northeastern region is the responsibility of the entire country,� he said.
While enumerating all development and social initiatives undertaken by the Modi government in the last six years like the Bodo agreement, Bru-Reang settlement, Bogibeel bridge, rail, road and air connectivity and other infrastructure projects, the Union Home Minister said the region was earlier known for terrorism, infiltration, corruption and other ailments, but now it is known for good governance, infrastructure, �Act East� and sports.
In the next five years, the Modi government shall ensure that the Northeast will be a �problem free� region, he said.
Shah also said that Arunachal Pradesh is the only state where people greet each other by saying �Jai Hind� and �this visible patriotism is an inspiration for all of us.�
While launching Arunachal Pradesh�s new Industrial and Investment Policy 2020, he said it is a welcome move that will enable the state to contribute to the nation�s dream of being a Rs 5-trillion economy.
Earlier, the Statehood Day celebrations got off to a colourful start with the chief guest unfurling the National Flag amid playing of national anthem by the Arunachal Pradesh Police band party and release of tricolour balloons in the air.
Besides launch of the new industrial policy, the Union Home Minister also inaugurated the Joram-Koloriang Road constructed by the BRO, MLA apartments constructed at the cost of Rs 140 crore and senior officers housing project at Chimpu, and an inter-state truck terminal at Lekhi near Naharlagun. He also laid the foundation stone of the new police headquarters, besides flagging off 148 sanitation vehicles meant for all urban towns in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr BD Mishra, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also spoke on the occasion.
Among others, DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Assam Finance Minister & NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma and Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao also attended the function.
