Letters to the Editor

Unfounded remark

After tremendous hard work of NRC authority and its whole team,  the smooth publication of 1st part draft NRC for Assam under the supervision and monitoring of the Supreme Court at the stroke of midnight on 31st December, 2017, the irresponsible and unfounded remarks of some political leaders and particularly of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s, that the NRC update exercise is “an attempt to oust Bangla-speaking people” is highly condemble and an insult to the Constitution and Supreme Court. The mes of some citizens may be left out from this first part draft for the time being. But there should not be any apprehension as the next part draft will be published shortly as declared by the NRC authority after verification of legacy data. Of course, the process may be sabotaged by some unscrupulous persons. As such, I would like to request the political leaders and Heads of States not to make any irresponsible remark at present to ignite commul hatred as “a neglected spark burns the house” for their political gains. They should go through the concept of NRC update for Assam deeply. Assam Accord has a role in it. Mamata Banerjee’s comment on NRC for Assam is part of her sinister motives for her political gain. She should concentrate on affairs of her State.

Putul Sarma,

Bamgaon, Biswath Chariali.

Brahmaputra issues

A decade ago, the Government  of India started planning multiple hydropower projects on Brahmaputra as a reactive strategy against Chinese dam building activities on the upper reaches of the river. This strategy is informed by the intertiol law of 'prior appropriation', which states that the first user gets the rights to continue using that quantity of water.

India will need to be more adept in responding to Brahmaputra river related issues. First, it needs to clearly envision the desired goal and strategic outcomes for dealing with impending water conflicts. Second, it needs to de-emphasise Chi's role for the time being and restrengthen its relationship with Bangaldesh. It needs to push the impending Teesta river agreement and restore its image as a responsible upper riparian country. Third, India needs to project its strength and firmness in negotiations with Chi on water rights, as it did in the Doklam stand-off and in opposing the Belt and Road Initiative, rather than projecting itself as a victim.

Satish Kumar Sarma,

Kalyanpur,

Biswath Chariali.