Call for united struggle for union territory status for Cachar
SILCHAR, August 4: The Union Territory Demand Committee (UTDC) has raised its pitch for making Cachar a centrally administered zone at a public meeting held on the issue on August 2 here has resolved to mobilize mass support and to carry on the campaign for it from today. The call has been given for a united struggle to achieve the goal.
Paritosh Paul Choudhury, president of UTDC, said the grounds on which Telengana has been given the status of a separate state justify the upgradation of Cachar as a union territory. In fact, Cachar means the undivided territory comprising other two districts of Karimganj and Hailakandi.
Paul Choudhury pointed out that the demand for union territory to be named as “Purbanchal” has been raised just after independence in 1948. He added to say in the independent India, it was the first demand for a separate state or union territory. Although New Delhi has been continuing to ignore the demand of people of Cachar, Barak Valley, several states in the process and in the meantime have been created.
The fault with the people of this valley is that they have never adopted unconstitutional and undemocratic methods to vent out their grievances to justify the union territory to be carved out of Assam. To be precise, they have never been violent in their approach like all the other proponents for separation. It is for this reason, as stated by Paul Choudhury, the Centre has not given any importance to it.
It needs no repetition that this valley has been completely different geologically, linguistically and culturally from Assam. Most unfortunate, during the ongoing talks between the Centre and the ULFA, the voice of Cachar was not heard. No representation from here was invited to participate in the dialogue that would decide the future shape of things to come with its fall out of serious dimension.
The president of UTDC regretted that despite repeated requests to include Cachar in the talks, the Centre adopted and continues to adopt a non challant attitude towards their demand. The leaders espousing the cause of separation have waited in vain for invitation or message to participate in the dialogue. It was further pointed out that at every recent juncture of history whenever the Centre created a new state, they have hammered and reminded New Delhi of their demand raised in 1948.
It was the expectation of UTDC leaders that during the time of decision making process for Telengana, the case of Barak Valley would also find due importance. This time also, the people of this valley were let down. It was a glaring example of neglect and deprivation and overlooking the legitimate demand.
In a memorandum addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar today, UTDC leaders expressed the hope that besides considering the points raised in favour of union territory, an old and constitutional demand, the Centre would invite them for talks. The memorandum was signed among others by Moznul Haque Mazumder, vice–president of the Committee.
Source: The Sentinel 05.08.2013
