Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Prajna Bhavan in Agartala on Saturday.

During his address, Shah emphasised the need for a shift in the police force’s approach now that insurgency has come to an end in the northeast, stressing the importance of providing speedy justice to citizens.

He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the region has witnessed significant peace efforts, marked by 20 peace accords over the past decade, leading to the surrender of around 9,000 armed militants.

“The police have been engaged in combating insurgency in the northeast for the last 40 years. With the conclusion of insurgency, it’s imperative that we adjust our approach to ensure that justice is delivered within three years of filing an FIR,” he stated.

Shah also noted the central government’s investment of Rs 81,000 crore in rail connectivity and Rs 41,000 crore in road infrastructure in the northeastern region. Additionally, he mentioned a focus on promoting organic farming in the area, announcing the establishment of the National Organic Corporation Ltd to enhance this sector.

He encouraged all Chief Ministers in the northeast to collaborate with NOCL for the packaging, marketing, and export of organic products.

Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with the Governors and Chief Ministers from all eight northeastern states, and senior officials, were in attendance.

Scindia mentioned that there would be in-depth discussions about the future development plans for the region, in addition to reviewing the council’s progress over the past year.

A delegation from the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) is also expected to participate in the discussions, according to reports.

Shah arrived in Tripura on December 20, 2024, to chair the NEC’s 72nd plenary session. The NEC serves as the central agency for economic and social development in the northeastern states, which include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday for a two-day visit, during which he will engage in discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership and connect with the Indian diaspora.

This significant visit was made at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and marked the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.

PM Modi’s trip comes shortly after recent political developments in the region, including the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and ongoing tensions due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza. During his stay, he plans to hold talks with key Kuwaiti officials and meet with the Indian community.

In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasised the importance of his discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership, highlighting them as a chance to establish a roadmap for a future-oriented partnership between India and Kuwait.

He stated, “We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also share interests in peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the West Asia region.”

The Prime Minister expressed enthusiasm for his meetings with the Emir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait. Additionally, he will attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in the country. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.

Kuwait stands as one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching 10.47 billion for the first time, and the Kuwait Investment Authority’s investments in India have exceeded $10 billion.

The Indian community in Kuwait is the largest expatriate group, constituting 21% of the total population (approximately 1 million people) and about 30% of the workforce (around 900,000 individuals).

Indian workers hold leading positions in both the private and domestic sectors, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. Historically, India and Kuwait have shared friendly relations, with connections dating back to pre-oil Kuwait when maritime trade formed the foundation of Kuwait’s economy.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal finds himself at the center of another political storm as Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has reportedly sanctioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute him in the alleged money laundering case linked to the controversial liquor policy scam. The sanction, sources reveal, was granted in line with legal requirements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and follows the Supreme Court’s directive making such approval mandatory for prosecuting government officials.

The case, which has already seen multiple high-profile arrests and allegations, comes at a critical time for Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi elections. This follows the party’s setback in the Lok Sabha elections, making the upcoming state polls a significant political test for the former chief minister.

AAP Calls for Transparency

Reacting to the developments, the AAP has dismissed the reports as “false and misleading” while demanding that the ED make the sanction letter public. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of engaging in political conspiracies to distract voters from pressing issues.

“If the Lt. Governor has indeed given approval to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal ji, why is the ED hesitating to make the approval letter public? This is yet another attempt to mislead and divert attention,” Atishi said in a statement shared on social media.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also weighed in, describing the move as a diversionary tactic aimed at overshadowing controversies surrounding Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on BR Ambedkar.

Opposition Welcomes Move

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, meanwhile, welcomed the decision, reiterating the party’s long-standing allegations against Kejriwal and the AAP. “We have consistently maintained that Kejriwal was involved in the liquor scam. As investigations progress, the truth will come out. This is a victory for accountability and justice,” Sachdeva said.

The Liquor Policy Case

The alleged scam revolves around the Excise Policy 2021-22, which the ED claims was manipulated to benefit a “South lobby” in exchange for bribes amounting to Rs. 100 crore. According to the ED, Rs. 45 crore of this sum was diverted for AAP’s election campaigns in Goa.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, 2024, under PMLA charges, spent six months in jail before being released in September. Following his release, he resigned as chief minister, pledging to return to office only if his party secures victory in the 2025 state elections.

The ED’s chargesheet, filed earlier this year, names Kejriwal and Sisodia as the masterminds of the alleged scam. Sisodia, who spent 18 months in custody, was granted bail in August 2024. The court cited his right to a speedy trial while approving his release.

Kejriwal’s Legal Challenge

In response to the ED’s chargesheet, Kejriwal has appealed to the Delhi High Court, seeking its dismissal. The court has since issued a notice to the ED, signaling that the legal battle is far from over.

As the political and legal drama unfolds, the liquor policy case remains one of the most contentious issues for the AAP, adding significant weight to the opposition’s allegations of corruption and mismanagement under Kejriwal’s leadership. With elections on the horizon, this case could have far-reaching implications for the party’s political fortunes.