Efforts on to enhance border trade
‘Let us take the path to progress, peace’: PM
PM Vajpayee issues an appeal to the NE militants to be partners in the development process of the region leaving aside arms and violence.

 Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee appealed to the militants of the North-East to give up violence and help the country move ahead. “Terrorism is an international challenge and what is happening here is also terrorism which has no place in a civilised society,” Mr. Vajpayee said during his address at the inauguration of work on the rail-road Bogibeel bridge.

 “Leave the wrong road. Take the path of peace. Come let us take the path of development and help Assam and the country, achieve progress and also join in creating a new world,” he said. He said that change achieved through lawlessness had ended in anarchy and therefore the youth of the region should renounce this path. “When our soldiers are fighting for the security of the nation, killings, extortions and violence will not be tolerated,” Mr. Vajpayee emphasised. The Prime Minister pointed out that the key to progress is development, which can be achieved by setting aside petty differences and joining hands together.

 “We must be sensible and committed and I firmly believe that if we all work together to achieve our goals, there will be no reason why the country, or for that matter the North-East, should lag behind,” the Prime Minister advised. “Political parties should cooperate on matters of security and development and there should be no compromise on or opposition to these issues with all working in the national interest,” he added. When the Government takes steps for development in an effort to take the country ahead, all parties should cooperate and work.

 “I do not make any distinctions with State Governments on the basis of political affiliations as the country can march ahead only when the states progress,” he said. “There is no place for militancy and we will not surrender to militancy,” Mr. Vajpayee told a crowd which braved inclement weather to attend the function at the Chowkidinghee ground. Stating that the country’s Army is strong to meet any eventuality, the Prime Minister pointed out, “arms have to be taken to defend the nation and the Army is there to fulfil that duty.” The Prime Minister made a special reference to reservation for women, saying, “We want to give a rightful place to women in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.”

In a gesture to enhance border trade with the neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee announced that a border road between Myanmar and Thailand would be built soon for economic development of the North-Eastern region. Mr. Vajpayee said an agreement would be soon signed between  Myanmar and the Indian Government for the construction of the road. The Prime Minister said the proposed road would help in border trade and open the North-East to the neighbouring countries to help in trade and commerce. “The sharing of development between the neighbouring countries is more welcome than cross-border exchange of terrorism and militancy,” he said.
                    
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