SILCHAR : Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to the Barak Valley has generated significant political excitement, with preparations underway for a major public meeting in Natunpur village under Katigorah.

According to sources, Shah is scheduled to arrive in the Barak Valley on February 21. Upon reaching Natunpur – a village located near the India-Bangladesh international border – he will spend around half an hour at a programme organised by the Border Security Force (BSF). He is then expected to address a large public gathering in the area.

Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with district administration officials have conducted multiple inspections to review preparedness for the high-profile event. Security has been significantly tightened, particularly given Natunpur’s proximity to the international border, with BSF personnel increasing vigilance in the region.

The visit has sparked enthusiasm among party workers and supporters, who have intensified mobilisation efforts across the Barak Valley. Residents of Natunpur have described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time since Independence that a senior Union minister will address a public meeting in the locality on such a scale.

However, alongside the excitement, longstanding developmental concerns have resurfaced. Locals highlight persistent gaps in education, healthcare, drinking water supply, and communication infrastructure. In cases of medical emergencies, residents reportedly travel 60-70 kilometres to access hospital facilities.

Many in the region are hopeful that the Home Minister’s visit will pave the way for concrete development initiatives. There is growing demand for the establishment of a manufacturing hub in Natunpur and adjoining areas to generate employment opportunities for youth in the border belt.

Attention is now focused on whether the visit will translate into tangible progress for this frontier region of the Barak Valley.

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