Barak Banga reiterates its demand for autonomous economic development council
SILCHAR, August 8: Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelan (BUBSOSS) has reiterated its demand for the formation of Autonomous Economic Development Council for Barak Valley. It has at the same time welcomed the initiative of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for inviting the various organizations on agitation in order to acquaint himself with their areas of resentment in the context of Telangana and the resultant situation in the State.
Gautom Prasad Dutta, general secretary, BUBSOSS, central executive committee, said in a clear and loud manner that “time has come for Dispur to pay proper attention to the growing public demand for a development council” and any attempt on the part of the State government to dilute or ignore it would not be justified, he cautioned. He said the indifferent and discriminatory attitude of the State government towards the burning issues and problems of this valley had been responsible for its glaring economic backwardness.
The general secretary spoke of the mounting anger and anguish of people of the south Assam on legitimate grounds and further stated if no proper steps were taken, it might take a volatile shape. He reminded the demand for Autonomous Economic Development Council as raised by the Barak Banga was not a new one, but hanging for several years.
Gautom Prasad Dutta at the same time expressed his serious concern at the continuing blockades and strikes in lower Assam and its adverse impact on the land–locked region of Barak Valley. He was of the opinion that the agitation and movement of various groups and organizations clamouring for separation was the culmination of several factors which were more than apparent. Similar situation was enveloping in this region also.
Dutta said the strategic geo–physic location of this valley from all reckoning called for infrastructure development, industrialization, agrarian boost up, employment opportunities, use of Bengali as official language as per Assam Official Language Act, protection of language and culture. But, sadly enough, despite repeated pleas before the State, there was no tangible result. The valley people had to be content with promises and assurances of “equal and fair development” along with the rest of the State.
Gautom Prasad Dutta recalled the meeting of the BUBSOSS members with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at Dispur on April 25 where the problems of Barak Valley were highlighted and discussed. It was pointed out how the two important projects, Silchar–Lumding BG and East–West Corridor, were still under cloud.
The inter valley communication network was in bad shape. Demand was also put forth for transit facility through Bangladesh. It was also hammered that representatives of Barak Valley should be included in the ongoing Centre–ULFA dialogue.
For the overall development of this valley, formation of an economic development council with autonomy was the way out and in this regard, the intervention of the Chief Minister was sought. But, till date, no positive step was visible from Dispur. Gautom Prasad Dutta giving a detailed account of the backdrop since 2005 said that the demand for autonomous council was raised at a mass convention at the behest of BUBSOSS at Karimganj on December 18 of the year. Subsequently, memorandum on the demand was submitted to the Centre and the State. In favour of the demand, the multi–lingual coordination committee formed in 2005 held conventions at Karimganj, Hailakandi and Silchar at different times.
The Chief Minister did give assurance of sympathetic consideration of Autonomous Economic Development Council which BUBSOSS felt was the best option and solution for all the ills of this valley. He also said various civil bodies, political parties, trade unions as well as social organizations were backing up BUBSOSS and its demand. He expected positive response from Dispur which if ignored might lead to a volatile situation.
Source: The Sentinel
