Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a major achievement in bringing peace to the Northeast. Since 2019, the government has signed 12 important peace agreements with different armed groups, helping the region move toward stability. These peace agreements have made a real difference, as 10,900 young people have put down their weapons and become part of society again.

"After our Government came to power, we spoke with all armed outfits (in the Northeast). From 2019 till date, 12 important peace accords have been signed...10,900 youth have given up arms and joined the mainstream. I was recently in Bodoland; thousands of youth are now walking the path of development," Home Minister Shah said in Rajya Sabha. Shah's recent visit to Bodoland shows the government's strong commitment to the region's development. He saw the positive changes happening, with thousands of young people now choosing growth and progress. The security situation in the North Eastern (NE) states has improved a lot since 2014. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, incidents of insurgency dropped by 71% in 2023 compared to 2014. Casualties among security forces fell by 60%, and civilian deaths decreased by 82%.

The North East area of India is made up of eight states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, each with its own history and identity. The region, which borders Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh, has long been considered one of India's most sensitive areas. Since 1947, its history has been characterised by insurgency and underdevelopment. Long-standing disputes between different states in the Northeast have been a major hurdle to the region's development. However, with the central government's proactive efforts, many of these decades-old conflicts are now being permanently resolved. This has strengthened trust, promoted integration and created a path for lasting peace and progress. ANVC Peace Accord (2014): On September 24, 2014, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) and ANVC/B, after which 751 cadres/workers from ANVC units relinquished their arms and disbanded on December 15, 2014.

NLFT(SD) Peace Agreement (2019): On August 10, 2019, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT/SD), and 88 NLFT(SD) cadres surrendered along with 44 guns. Bru Agreement (2020): On January 16, 2020, representatives of Bru migrants signed an agreement for the permanent settlement of Bru(Reang) families in Tripura, including a financial support package of around Rs. 661.00 crore. Bodo Peace Accord (2020): On 27.1.2020, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with Assam's Bodo Groups to resolve the long-standing Bodo conflict, and 1615 cadres of NDFB groups surrendered on 30.1.2020 and were disbanded on March 9-10, 2020. On September 4, 2021, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with representatives of Karbi groups to resolve the long-standing conflict in the Karbi Anglong region of Assam. As a result, more than 1,000 armed members have renounced violence and become part of mainstream society.

Adivasi Peace Accord (2022): On September 15, 2022, representatives from eight Adivasi organizations signed a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) to end the decades-long crisis between Adivasis and tea garden workers in Assam. Following this, 1182 Adivasi cadres surrendered their arms and joined the mainstream movement. DNLA Peace Agreement (2023): On April 27, 2023, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with the Dimasa National Liberation Army/Dimasa Peoples' Supreme Council (DNLA/DPSC) of Assam to terminate the insurgency in Dima Hasao District of Assam. Following this, 181 DNLA cadres joined the mainstream by laying down their guns on October 28, 2023. A Peace Agreement on Ground Rules with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), a valley-based Manipuri armed group, was signed on November 29, 2023. According to the agreement, the UNLF has pledged to return to the mainstream by abstaining from violence and pledging to uphold India's Constitution and the rule of law.

ULFA Peace Agreement (2023): On December 29, 2023, a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed with the United Liberation Front of Assam. According to the agreement, the ULFA has pledged to abandon the path of violence, relinquish all arms and ammunition, disband their armed organisation, and participate in the peaceful democratic process as mandated by law while upholding the country's integrity.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined a meeting with the Chief Ministers of the Northeastern states and later attended a public gathering on the last day of the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) at Bodofa Fwthar, Dotma, in Kokrajhar, Assam. While speaking at the 57th Annual Conference of ABSU, Shah highlighted the peace that has prevailed in Bodoland since the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Peace Agreement was signed in 2020. He assured that the central government is committed to fully implementing the agreement to maintain lasting peace in the region.

Shah also mentioned that, despite doubts from the Congress party, the Assam government and the Centre have already implemented about 82 per cent of the agreement's provisions. "This event is a testament to the peace established in Bodoland. I still remember January 27, 2020, when the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region) Peace Agreement was signed. Congress used to mock me, saying that there would never be peace in Bodoland and that the agreement would become a joke, but today, the Assam government and the Centre have implemented almost 82 per cent of the agreement's provisions," Shah said. Shah confirmed that the Modi government would fully implement the agreement within the next two years to ensure lasting peace in the BTR region.

He also mentioned that, as part of the agreement, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was lifted from the entire Bodoland region on April 1, 2022. Shah emphasised the progress and development the region has seen since the peace accord was signed. In November last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that over 10,000 young people in Assam abandoned weapons and violence after peace agreements were made.