New Delhi, April 9 (PTI): President Pratibha Patil today said the Northeast holds “immense development potential” and every effort should be made to realise it.
At the 175th anniversary celebrations of the Assam Rifles here, Patil said, “Construction of good physical infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of the people are tasks of high priority.”
"I am told that the Assam Rifles has been carrying out various civic action programmes for the welfare of the people in remote and inaccessible parts of the North East," she said.
Patil said, "Their long association with the region gives them a special understanding of its people, because of which they are referred to as 'Friends of the Hill People'. In recognising the achievements of the Assam Rifles, the nation also acknowledges the contribution of the force in nation building, by assimilation of the people of the North-east into the national mainstream."
The President said the force continues to render invaluable service in guarding our North-east Frontiers and in maintaining internal security.
Lauding the role of the force in containing insurgency in the North-east region, she said the force has also contributed to ensuring peaceful elections in the region and thereby, strengthening democracy.
President lauds N-E
