Tension and anxiety subdues New Year celebrations

From our Correspondent

Silchar, Dec 31: The question of the hour is ‘to celebrate or not to celebrate New Year 2018’. People, especially Bengalis, of the state of Assam are eagerly waiting for the historic midnight of December 31 for reasons other than celebrations and merry making. Part publication of draft NRC will be ready at hand for applicants to check out their mes in the list. It is perhaps for the first time in history that a large section of people is mostly anxious and worried about December 31. Fear, apprehension and tension have gripped people. People residing in rural areas are concerned and worried.

 Talking to The Sentinel, Kaberi g, member of the central working committee of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad who is also pursuing MA in Political Science in Assam University said, “I am extremely happy for New Year but a large section of people are very nervous and passing days in constant fear. I have full faith in our administration and hope that everything will be alright in the end”. People had apprehensions regarding their NRC in the initial stages. However, many have understood that there is nothing to fear now.

 Partha Seal, photo jourlist and also a cultural activist said, “I am not that elated about the part publication of draft NRC on this very day. There is a tension in the air. Very less number of people is celebrating December 31. Less number of parties headed towards picnic spots today. However, I am not apprehending anything. I have submitted all the necessary documents and even ready to produce again if need arises”. The ambience of New Year celebration has been filled up with tension and anxiety. For security reasons, 8 companies of paramilitary forces and 2 companies of Assam Police have been deployed.

Rumours regarding NRC are ruling the roost. Security has been beefed up in the sensitive and hyper sensitive zones. This will check the movement of anti social elements. But deployment of such a huge number of security personnel has made people feel more panicky, nervous and tensed. Dr Paromita Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Assam University, Silchar, said, “I am not worrying but I have seen that people mostly living in the rural areas are passing days in fear and apprehension. They are living in the fear that their mes will not be in the list and that they have to leave the country.”