Letters to the EDITOR: Dumper Truck Violence in Assam

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Dumper truck violence in Assam

I am compelled to draw attention to the alarming rise in dumper truck violence in Assam, a trend that poses a serious threat to public safety. A significant factor contributing to this issue is the excessive speeding and reckless driving habits of dumper truck operators.

Just recently, on April 9, two people lost their lives due to a speeding dumper truck in Lalmati, Guwahati.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in accidents involving dumper trucks, resulting in untimely deaths and serious injuries. This rise in violence highlights broader systemic issues, including inadequate traffic law enforcement and the lack of effective regulation for heavy vehicles.

Urgent and decisive action is required. The government should introduce and enforce strict rules and regulations for dumper trucks, including speed restrictions, designated routes and mandatory driver training. Better surveillance, frequent vehicle inspections and harsh penalties for violators are also essential.

Our communities deserve safer streets and a more peaceful environment. By tackling dumper truck violence through a robust and multi-pronged strategy, we can work towards restoring public safety and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Dipankar Deka,

Gauhati University

Good human beings

The news article titled 'Top 3 rankers aspire to be good human beings', published in your esteemed daily on April 12, has not only drawn our attention but also reaffirmed the timeless power of core values in an era marked by chaos and turbulence. Today, different regions of the globe are enduring a wide spectrum of challenges, from political and economic struggles to ethnic and religious conflicts, climate change, and more. While there might be brief moments of respite where calm seems to reign, it is crucial to delve deeper into the crux of these issues, and we can discern that they are intertwined with the value systems that mould human understanding and behaviour. The strong assertion of the top three rankers in the HSLC exam 2025 that they want to be good citizens and engage themselves in the service of humanity, irrespective of the fields in which they are employed in the future, has underscored the gravity of responsibility parents shoulder in shaping their children's values to foster a more compassionate and harmonious society. The Gita accentuates "Dharma", which embodies righteousness, urging us to uphold values such as purity, resilience and compassion. Food (eating), sleep, fear (defending) and mating: these acts of humans are similar to animals. Of them, among humans, dharma is the only special thing; without dharma, humans are also animals. By embracing this timeless wisdom, we not only uncover our genuine purpose but also receive invaluable guidance on life's odyssey. The three rankers understanding and internalising the virtues of good human beings is about instilling a way of life, a blueprint, for nurturing not just informed individuals but also responsible, conscientious adults. In conclusion, it may be said that when we aspire to bequeath a world to future generations, the true antidote lies in collective commitment to revitalising the core values and embracing the timeless principles like respect, compassion, justice and integrity to elevate, unite and nurture humanity as a whole. The importance of fundamental education in moral values in school is glaringly evident when we witness the consequences of its absence across the globe.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati. 

Bihu’s Heritage vs. Drunken Chaos

Rongali Bihu, Assam’s vibrant spring festival, celebrates the Assamese New Year with traditional dances, music, and communal feasts, symbolizing renewal and agricultural prosperity. Cultural events like Bihu dance workshops and Husori performances draw thousands, fostering a community spirit and preserving our heritage. Youngsters increasingly participate, reconnecting with traditions through rhythmic beats of the dhol and melodies of the pepa, as noted in recent reports highlighting a surge in youth engagement. These gatherings embody the Assamese identity, with traditional attire like mekhela chador and gamosa reinforcing cultural pride.

 However, the festival’s sanctity is often marred by incidents involving drunken youths. A 2022 report from Lakhimpur documented inebriated individuals vandalising a Bihu venue, breaking chairs and clashing with police. Such disruptions, fuelled by excessive alcohol consumption, undermine the festival’s ethos of harmony. Critics argue that lax enforcement and inadequate crowd control exacerbate these issues, allowing rowdy behaviour to overshadow cultural reverence. The commercialization of Bihu events, with ticketed concerts and late-night shows, sometimes prioritizes profit over tradition, attracting unruly crowds. This clash raises critical questions about balancing celebration with discipline. While Bihu’s cultural events aim to unite, drunken disruptions alienate families and elders, risking the erosion of its sacred roots. Solutions lie in stricter regulations limiting alcohol sales, enhancing security, and promoting daytime cultural programmes. Community-driven initiatives, like sober youth-led Bihu committees, could steer focus back to heritage. Rongali Bihu’s essence thrives on collective joy, not chaos. By addressing these challenges, Assam can ensure its cherished festival remains a beacon of cultural pride, not a stage for disorder.

Chandan Kumar Nath

Sorbhog, Barpeta

Save Gaza from burning again

After a brief ceasefire, the war in Gaza has resumed with full force. Since March 2024, Gaza has once again become a land soaked in innocent blood. In just the past few weeks, over 1500 children are thought to have been killed or injured. The total death toll has now surpassed 60,000, with more than 115,000 people wounded, most of them civilians. Men, women, children, medical workers and even journalists are not spared in these brutal attacks. The recent airstrikes on camps and hospitals have only added to the horror, leaving thousands of people displaced and without hope. I urge the global community, human rights organizations, and international leaders to break their silence and take immediate action. A permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid and justice for the victims are long overdue.

Jubel D'Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)

 Legacy of the Past

Several decades ago, news emerged that Bimala Prasad Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam, had allocated portions of our land to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for cultivation. It is believed that he may have done so in his personal capacity, though the full context remains unclear. Whether or not this was a prudent decision is still a matter of debate.

Land is a vital asset of the state, and no individual—regardless of position—has the authority to distribute it based on personal discretion. Reports circulating in recent times suggest that approximately 2,000 bighas of land were leased out to Nagaland. Interestingly, Assamese farmers used to cultivate that land while paying taxes to the Nagaland government. This arrangement, however, has reportedly come to a halt. Nagaland now lays full claim to the area. The status of land supposedly given to Arunachal Pradesh remains uncertain. What is known, however, is that Mr Chaliha, known for his generous nature, even offered Dimapur permanently to Nagaland—an irreversible move, as it stands today.

The critical question remains: can the present administration take concrete steps to reclaim the land granted to Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland? These issues persist, in part, because neighbouring states are well aware that Assam’s leadership has historically struggled to take a firm stand in such matters. For now, the people of Assam can only wait and watch what decisive action, if any, the current government is prepared to undertake.

Prafulla Dowarah

Guwahati