HAFLONG, Jan 30 � Union Minister of State for Home, KirenRijiju has assured all possible help to develop Dima Hasao district as a hub of the North East.
Rijiju arrived at Haflong to attend �Busu Dima�, a major festival of the Dimasas on Friday as the chief guest.
He held a meeting with the community leaders and representatives of different tribal and non-tribal groups at the District Library Auditorium in the presence of the Chief Executive Member of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, Debojeet Thaosen. The interaction was organised by the Joint Action Committee for Heritage Line (JACHL).
The JACHL submitted a memorandum to the Minister detailing the issues, including retention of the Harangajao-Mahur MG section as a Heritage Line, re-establishment of border outposts along border areas of the neighbouring States to contain the entry of anti-social elements from across the border along with other infrastructural development in the district. It was read out by Monoj Gorlosa.
Liton Chakraborty, general secretary of JACHL in his speech appreciated the endeavour of the Minister in connection with retention of the Heritage Line.
Thaosen in his welcome speech said we are very much lucky to have a Minister like Kiren Rijiju among us today.
The Minister gave a patient hearing and said he would go through all the points of the memorandum and place it before the appropriate ministry of the Modi Government. He also detailed the mission of Prime Minister Modi in terms of proper and speedy development of the region, which was not accorded priority by successive governments over the years.
He also said that gun culture cannot usher in any development. In fact welfare can be achieved only through democratic means, and that too unitedly. Insurgency has stalled development in the region for quite a long time, he observed.
Minister Rijiju and CEM Thaosen were felicitated with traditional gifts by representatives of different tribal and non-tribal groups. Rijiju subsequently attended the Busu Dima Festival at the NL Daolagupu Sports Complex and inaugurated the event. Here too he was publicly felicitated.
Inaugurating the festival, he said that this region should be developed, but that there should be honesty and transparency all along the way. He stressed on not only developing heritage and culture, but also on preserving the dialects and stressed on the need to modify them appropriately.
He appealed to all the political parties to do their utmost for general welfare of the people by cutting across party affiliation.
