Nagpur, Sept 14: Asserting that separatists don't have any agenda in the north-eastern states of India, Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob has said their (militants') so-called movement does not have people's much support and only economic development can bring in the desired change. "The north-east region will overcome insurgency in the days to come if the economic development of entire north-eastern states is put on fast pace. With the formation of ministry for the development of north-eastern region (Doner), things are taking shape and it is a question of time now," Jacob, who is here on a visit, told news agencies last night.

Talking about major hurdles in the developmental process of the NE, he said it is due to infrastructure bottlenecks.


"There are not much employment opportunities for the youth. Besides there is a lack of road connectivity and lack of adequate power supply," he said.

A comprehensive economic development can only bring prosperity in the NE and would to a great extent solve the insurgency problem, Jacob, who attended the just concluded Gangtok meeting of the North East Council (NEC), said.
The NEC is a forum of all the governors and chief ministers of north-eastern states - Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura -- which conducted its 48th meeting in Gangtok.

Now even Sikkim has been included in the fraternity of the NE states.

Bureau Report