Infiltration not just a poll issue, it is about safeguarding identity and national security: PM Modi

Accusing the Congress of allowing land grabbing by infiltrators Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that infiltration into Assam is not just an election issue but is about safeguarding the identity of the state and national security reported news agency PTIBJP seeks third term targets Congress lsquomisrulersquoAddressing virtually the BJPs boothlevel workers in Assam ahead of the April 9 assembly polls PM Modi said that the state saw a long span of instability but things changed over the past decade as the partys doubleengine government made every effort to ensure peace reported PTIThere is a need to remind firsttime voters of the misrule of previous Congress governments in Assam and caution them that even the smallest mistake can push the state back he said noting that the BJP members were working hard to ensure a hattrick for the party in the stateAlleges Congress enabled land grabbing by infiltratorsInfiltration is not just an election issue It is an issue to safeguard the identity of Assam and national security Congress allowed illegal land grabbing by infiltrators Wherever infiltrators settle they capture small businesses and the livelihoods of local people he said during the Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot Samvaad initiative by the ruling BJP that is aimed at connecting directly with party activists in pollbound states reported PTIThe prime minister said the BJP workers must be fully aware of illegal land grabbing cases and the problems faced by local people and the ordeal of those who have suffered due to illegal infiltrators must be knownPeople must know that Congress allowed encroachment but the BJP is protecting rights he saidHighlights peace accords development in NortheastPM Modi noted that 12 peace agreements were signed by the government with different organisations in the Northeast He said the BJP workers must remind people how the Congress used to make agreements only on paper to create headlines and mislead people reported PTIWe have seen the era when Assam was burning in violence Assam saw a long span of instability but things have changed in the past decade But today we can see a new confidence as the BJPs doubleengine government has made every effort for peace he said reported PTIUnder the Congress peace agreements were pushed aside and the youths were left to suffer and drift towards unrest PM Modi allegedNo agreement with insurgents and student organisations worked during the Congress rule in Assam The Congress betrayed the Bodo cause The BJP worked to establish peace and secure the future of the youth We are sincerely implementing peace agreements on the ground Assam has witnessed how peace has been established through honest efforts in the past decade he said reported PTIPM Modi also said that the culture of the Bodo tribal areas is rich but for decades the Congress had neglected the regionI am glad that today there is peace Bodoland once faced curfews and the sound of bombs but today there is peace and stability This is one of the biggest models for the country a region that once saw violence is now moving on the path of peace he said reported PTIUrges workers to counter misinformation engage votersPM Modi said everyone was working hard for the BJPled NDA governments hattrick in AssamI welcome the karyakartas of Assam BJP I am a karyakarta like you Whatever responsibility is given to me I fulfil that duty Today at the booth level I got the opportunity to speak to you I know you are busy and all of you are filled with the resolve of mera booth sabse mazboot he saidHe stressed the need to inform firsttime and young voters of the misrule of the previous Congress governments in AssamPeace is the primary requirement for a states development the PM said adding that no agreement with insurgents and student organisations worked during the Congress rule in AssamModi also asked the Assam BJP booth workers to caution people against AIgenerated videos in circulation in the stateThe prime minister said the BJP booth workers must organise programmes where the experiences of those who left violence and joined the mainstream can be heardHe said all BJP workers must have the NaMo App through which the BJP members will get detailed information about whatever the party is doing for the empowerment of Nari ShaktiBJPs doubleengine government is the first choice of women across India he asserted reported PTIPM Modi said the party workers will also learn the benefits of what a doubleengine government can do like the Orunodoi scheme in Assam and the Lakhpati Didi programmeAcross digital platforms the success stories of Lakhpati Didis must be shared with the people he saidThe prime minister said party workers must visit booths in tea gardens and should organise tiffin meetings or Chai Pe Charcha and listen to the stories and problems people faced in the pastThey will tell you how they were left at the mercy of companies Young people must also be part of these meetings he said reported PTIPM Modi said the NDA government has done a lot but people still have many expectationsHe said the land rights given to the tea garden workers will secure the future of thousands of such families and ensure their dignityHe also alleged that the West Bengal government is not letting central schemes reach the tea garden workers in that stateThe elections for the 126member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9 The BJPled NDA government has been in power in Assam since 2016With inputs from PTI