Defend Assamese identity, says Assam CM in I-Day speech
Officials said motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at the Pasteur Beat House early on Friday (August 15, 2025) morning. A police vehicle was partially damaged in the attack, suspected to have been carried out by youths associated with the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, one of the extremist groups that gave the boycott call.
In their Independence Day speeches, the Chief Ministers of the region outlined their plans. While most were upbeat, Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma warned about a future where Assamese people would be at the mercy of 'unknown people' unless they defend their identity.
'We, the Assamese, cannot stay silent, or else we will lose our race, land, and hearth in 10 years. About 80% of our Ministers will be unknown people within 15 years, and the I-Day tricolour will be hoisted by an unknown Chief Minister two decades hence,' he said.
Promising to continue with the anti-encroachment drive to reclaim government lands, he said the bureaucracy under previous governments will have to explain how 'infiltrators' were allowed to take over swathes of forestlands and notified grazing lands.
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Green projects in Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu underlined the government's plan to fast-track all green energy projects, revive the stalled ones, and pursue public-private partnerships.
'Green energy is silently transforming our future. With unmatched natural potential, Arunachal is becoming India's green energy powerhouse. Our hydropower and critical mineral resources like graphite, limestone, and dolomite will power solar panels, batteries, and electric mobility for decades to come,' he said in his address.
Mr. Khandu said the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project would be ready by May 2026 while the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project has a February 2032 completion target. He added that work on new hydropower projects, worth ₹2 lakh crore, would start in the next three years.
He said the government expects ₹4,000 crore in annual revenue as free power after these projects are completed.
His Meghalaya counterpart, Conrad K. Sangma, said the State aspired to become a $100 billion economy by 2047.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha appealed to the State's youth to unleash their passion for a developed India, dream big, and shape a glorious future.
Naga political issue
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio called upon the citizens to uphold unity, peace, and cultural pride while working towards a self-reliant and inclusive State. He said resolving the 'Naga political issue' remained the top priority of his government.
The issue refers to a peace process between the Centre and Naga extremist groups since 1997.
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