On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will meet with the chief ministers, secretaries, and police chiefs of the northeastern states to review the coronavirus situation and discuss a number of other important issues, according to officials.
Apart from states’ responses to the pandemic, with a particular focus on vaccination, Shah is expected to speak about the overall law and order situation, economic challenges, special projects and schemes, and interstate conflicts.
Shah will also preside over a meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC), at which top officials from the DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) ministry, as well as other related departments, will provide inputs and recommendations.
On the condition of anonymity, a representative from the host state of Meghalaya stated that the state will bring to the attention of the Centre a number of issues that it is facing.
“Militancy, law and order, border disputes, development issues, drug trafficking and Covid issues will be the core issues to be placed forward by the government … we are hopeful of a positive outcome,” the official said.
Shah will first open the multipurpose conference centre and exhibition facility at the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) in Umiam, Ri Bhoi District, then visit Mawiong to open the Interstate Bus Terminal before heading to Shillong, and finally attend the opening ceremony of the Cryogenic Oxygen Plant and Paediatric Ward at Umsawli in the Sui District.
Before returning to Guwahati, Shah will take part in an Assam Rifles tree-planting drive, pay tribute to Swami Vivekananda at the world-renowned Ramakrishna Mission in Sohra, and inaugurate the Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme in Cherrapunjee.
Between meetings with civil society groups to discuss their various demands, particularly those related to the boundary issue and the ILP, the home minister will meet with civil society groups (Inner Line Permit). He’ll also meet with members of the party.
