New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited Assam's Diphu in Karbi Anglong district and laid the foundation for several educational, healthcare, and development projects worth over Rs 500 crore which include a Veterinary College in Diphu, Degree College in West Karbi Anglong, and Agricultural College in Kolonga.


The Assam government had made elaborate arrangements for the Prime Minister's day-long visit and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma himself monitored the preparations.


The prime minister reached Dimapur airport in Nagaland and from there, took a helicopter to Diphu and addressed the 'unity, peace and development rally' at Loringthepi.



Here are some key points of PM Modi's address:



  • Appreciating the Assam government, PM Modi said that In the states where there is a double engine government, works are done with the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.

  • The Prime Minister added, "Last year, several organisations from Karbi Anglong joined the resolve for peace and development. Bodo Accord opened new doors for lasting peace in 2020."

  • Talking about the law and order situation in the state and steps taken by the "double engine" government, PM Modi said, "Recently, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, was removed from 23 districts in the Assam. We have removed AFSPA from many areas of the North East as a result of better law and order."

  • Focusing on the agreement made by Assam and Meghalaya to resolve border disputes, PM Modi said, "With the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', the solution to border-related issues is being sought today. The recent agreement reached between Assam and Meghalaya will encourage others also


PM Modi has now left for Dibrugarh where he will dedicate to the nation the Dibrugarh Cancer Centre at the Assam Medical College Hospital.


Later in the afternoon, he will virtually inaugurate seven cancer hospitals and lay the foundation for seven more across Assam from Khanikar Park in Dibrugarh, where Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata, Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Rameshwar Teli, Governor Jagadish Mukhi and Sarma would also be present.


The seven hospitals that will be inaugurated are at Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar and Darrang. The medical establishments whose foundation will be laid are at Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Nalbari, Nagaon and Tinsukia.


A local holiday has been declared in the two districts on Thursday, with all schools and colleges, and state government offices and institutions to remain closed.


Tight security arrangements have been made and traffic regulations put in place. Over 5,000 buses brought the people to the venues of the programs. Potholes were repaired and road dividers painted in the two towns over the last fortnight.


BJP workers have reached out to people in far-flung areas in the two districts and invited them to the events in the traditional Assamese way with 'paan and tamul' (betel leaves and areca nuts).