Letters to the Editor

Violence in Assam's Dima Hasao district

The protest in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, which turned violent resulting in the death of two people besides injuries to a dozen, was a direct fallout of an incompetent state mechanism. Since the signing of the ga Framework Agreement between the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) on August 2015, rumours regarding Greater galim, which envisages to integrate all ga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Aruchal Pradesh with galand, have continued to keep all stakeholders in a state of anxiety. The protest in Dima Hasao which was against an alleged proposal to induct the district in Greater galim started after an unverified document drafted by the RSS on ga peace accord was made public by certain sections of the media. The ga peace settlement is a very sensitive as well as an emotive issue for the gas. The gravity of the situation is such that all political parties in galand have resolved not to field candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections without a fil solution to the peace process. The Government of India also seems very adamant to settle this issue once and for all. In such a scerio, giving space to rumormongers and irresponsible reportage would only stir up a hornets' nest. Manipur too in the past has seen such violent protest over the same issue. Meanwhile, it is also the responsibility of the state administration to assure the people against any such apprehensions as soon as they are surfaced. The security forces should also be made more competent and disciplined on crowd handling in such situations without having to resort to firing. The border dispute between galand and the neighboring States cannot be seen in isolation of a Greater galim which remains at the core of NSCN (I-M)’s agenda. It is up to the Union government to speed up the peace process to find a middle ground and make the agreement public only for the greater good of the Northeast, a region which has lost decades fighting identity politics.

Himangka Kaushik,

Guwahati.

IPL and Assam

It is heartbreaking as usual. The most awaited cricket tourment of the world IPL is coming again this year. The big auction of the IPL has been held. I, as a cricket fan from Assam, was eagerly waiting for at least one cricketer from Assam to get chance in IPL. Abu Nechim and Riyan Parag have been performing really well in the various circuits. But what we got again is nothing other than frustration. There was a rumour that Barsapara Stadium will be the home ground for Rajasthan Royals. At least for this reason, we were waiting for the auction. We are being neglected again and again in sports.

Now I think the government and ACA should do introspection.  Why did this occur only to Assamese players. The government should develop the infrastructure of Assam's sports.

Firdaus Ahmed,

Guwahati.