Despite boycott calls, Independence Day passes off peacefully in northeast

GUWAHATI/ITANAGAR/GANGTOK/AIZAWL: The 73rd Independence Day passed off peacefully in Northeast amid tight security despite rebel groups' boycott call.
Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim unfurled the tricolour and took salute from marching contingents at state- level functions attended by a large number of people.
Amid heightened security arrangements in tune with the Centre's advisory across the country after abrogation of Article 370 that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the event took place in a peaceful environment without any untoward incidents being reported from anywhere in the region.
Some CMs used the occasion to out to rest apprehensions that the measures taken in Kashmir could have resonance in the northeastern states enjoying special status under Article 371 of the Constitution.
Some of them justified steps taken on crucial issues and also promised new welfare measures for the masses.
Even though Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clarified that the central government has no intention to touch special status enjoyed by states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland and Manipur,doubts have been expressed by some political parties and a few social organisations if NE would be the next target.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said "On the occasion of 73rd Independence Daycelebrations, I pledge to protect, conserve and consolidate the Article 371(F) of the Constitution which provides a special status to our state."
Tamag, better known as Golay, also said Union home minister Amit Shah assured him that the rights granted to the state will not be tinkered with.
In Guwahati, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal defended his government's decision to appeal to the supreme court for sample re-verification of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying it was done to ensure an error-free document.
Sonowal also said the state government is committed to ensure safety of every genuine Indian citizen living in Assam.
On July 23, the apex court had rejected the pleas of the centre and the Assam government seeking permission for 20 per cent sample re-verification. The permission had been sought to find out wrongful inclusions and exclusions of persons in the NRC, the final version of which is scheduled to be published by August 31.
In neighbouring Meghalaya, chief minister Conrad K Sangma hailed as "people's victory" the supreme court directive to lift the NGT ban on coal mining and said the verdict has upheld indigenous people rights on land and mineral deposits.
The supreme court on July 3 set aside the ban on coal mining in Meghalaya imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) since April 2014, and allowed mining operations on privately and community-owned land, subject to permissions from authorities concerned.
At capital Aizawl, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga announced that the Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) would be the flagship programme of the new state government elected late last year.
Zoramthanga said the SEDP would also aim at improving social life and bringing happiness and peace to the people.
"The policy will focus on increasing the Gross State Domestic Product of Mizoram, improving economic condition of the general public, creation of employment opportunities and favourable business environment and bringing in sustainable development," he said delivering his Independence dayspeech.
He said cultivation and processing of bamboo would be one of the most important components of the government's flagship programme.
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu said the cabinet committee on economic affairs has sanctioned funds for "pre-investment activities and various clearances of the 2,880-MW Dibang multi-purpose project" in the state.