Though it might seem to be an immediate loss to Assam, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government would utilise land transfer agreement with Bangladesh in a manner that will serve the long-term security interests of the Indian State.

He assured the people of Assam that the land swap deal with Bangladesh will stop illegal infiltration and not compromise their security.

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party workers at the Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, Modi said his government would also utilise the land transfer agreement with neighbouring Bangladesh to seal all routes across the international border through, reports The Hindu.

He urged the people of Assam to have faith in him and said: “There’ll be no compromise on Assam’s security.”

Modi promised to fulfill the polls promises he had made to the people of Assam during Lok Sabha elections. “I know the sentiments of the people of Assam. We’ll always protect the interests of Assam and the country (India),” he said in his speech.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been critical of both BJP and Asom Gana Parishad for opposing the land swap deal signed by the previous Manmohan Singh­led United Progressive Alliance government with Bangladesh and he maintained that Assam was not going to lose out a single inch of land to Bangladesh as made out to be by the AGP and the BJP.

He also alleged that the two parties opposed the deal with an eye on 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Modi, in his speech, warned the forces trying to harm the interests of Assam and the northeast and said that law would not spare them now. “Such forces should know that the government has changed in Delhi and the law will not spare them now,” he said.

The development of the entire northeast region, including Assam, was a priority of his government, the Prime Minister claimed that the BJP has compelled all political parties to make development the prime issue instead of issues of caste and region.

UNB/LY