Northeast need development for peace: V K Singh

NEW DELHI: The northeast region needs development to bring about peace, Minister Of Development Of North Eastern Region, V K Singh said today.

"Northeast region is full of natural resources... development starts everything and if it does not exist, everything will fall. This region needs development which can bring peace," Singh said, addressing entrepreneurs at a programme here.

Stressing that development was a major issue in the region, he underlined the need for development in three categories - infrastructure, education and health.

Singh also emphasised on manufacturing sector, saying entrepreneurs need to set up units in the northeast.

"We need to boost manufacturing sector. If manufacturing sector is not promoted, the economy will get affected. PM Narendra Modi has also said of this. We have to motivate entrepreneurs to set up their units in northeast region," he told reporters here.

In the next few years, there be a major change in sectors like education, infrastructure and others, he said.

Speaking on the occasion former Meghalaya chief minister and ex-Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma said that the Indian Army has failed to bring peace in the northeast and only entrepreneurs could do it.

"Indian Army has failed to bring peace in the northeast in spite of Armed Forces Special Power Act and they could not... they will not... they cannot... I can tell you. Police action and Army action can never solve the problem of northeast. Who will solve...you (entrepreneur)," Sangma said.