Tuesday 19 November 2013

Truths and half-baked truths...!

Yes...... that has been the case with this region, and in particular for the state of Assam. One must understand that Assam has a wide diaspora of inhabitants from all walks of life and from all corners of mainland India. There is no denying the fact that problems have existed in the state, but so is the case with any other place. When the will of the powers that be to do something positive is lacking, it is quite obvious that the voices of dissent and self - determination get louder. And this can take on any form. So has been the case with Assam. After years of deprivation and neglect, the time had to come for the string of patient to snap. This had given rise to the famous Assam Agitation - spear-headed by the All Assam Students Union and simultaneously the fertile atmosphere at that point in time, also gave rise to a more sinister force, namely the ULFA, (acronym for United Liberation Front of Axom).
I won't go into the gory details but suffice it to say, the leaders of the Assam Agitation ended up in politics, forming a regional party who were voted to power for two consecutive terms (ten years in total), but had little to show in terms of governance and development. And now, even as oppositions in the state assembly they are a weak lot. 
As for the ULFA, yes they were a lot to reckon with in the past, say twenty - twenty five years back. Rooting out social evils like gambling, illicit liquor dens and the works, this group considered themselves the modern day "Robin Hoods", but with a difference, looting and extorting the rich, they kept everything for themselves! It was only a matter of time that, money would reign supreme. As of today, the ULFA is a spent force, most of the top rung leaders  are no more or have surrendered to live in the main stream of society.
But the Assam Agitation and the ULFA have set in motion an unsavory precedence. Assam being  home to many plains tribes, the foregoing agitation witnessed in the state, are now examples for these groups to follow in the foot steps, for the sake of self-determination and recognition constitutionally. Groups like the Bodos, Koch-Rajbonshis, Muttocks - Morans, Chutias etc do resort to agitations by blocking highways and railroads. But it must be remembered that, this is only in certain pockets and it is not a state-wide phenomena.  
Despite the many turmoils and upheavals faced by the state of Assam in the past, the present atmosphere is generally peaceful. And I can say with a lot of confidence that one must come and see for oneself to really understand the ground realities that is prevailing in the state today. It is quite understandable that the media, both  print and electronic, can play havoc with ones psyche, but take it from a north-easterner, the reality is very different.
Come and enjoy the land of the Red River (Brahmaputra) and take in all the beauty that this state has to offer and go back many times richer in fond memories. And that is why I intend to continue my sharing about all the many other places and destinations that is there to be explored!

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