Statehood stir: Youth hope for a united Assam

GUWAHATI: As parts of Assam continue to reel under bandhs and the clamour for separate states for Bodos, Koch-Rajbongshis and Karbis growing stronger with each passing day, a section of youth from these communities are pinning hope on a united Assam.
Anxious about the situation back home, some of these youths who are either working or studying in different metros have a common voice - one that speaks against violence and wants better aspirations besides good governance.
Kishore Kumar Ray (34), a Koch-Rajbongshi from Kokrajhar, vividly remembers the Nineties when the Bodoland movement was at its peak. An animator and a T-Shirt designer settled in Bangalore, he is worried about the volatile situation back home where his parents live.
"Assam already has so many problems. Bandhs and disruption in train services will affect the state's economy. What about daily wagers and students? It is sad that every tribe wants division. They must think about long-term consequences," said Ray.
With limited avenues available in Assam, youngsters leave the state in thousands every year in search of greener pastures. Hoping for a united Assam, this lot also cannot understand the state's complex politics that often results in violence and toes the line of ethnicity. With last year's Bodo-Muslim violence still fresh in their minds, they fear the worst.
"Assam has become a target of dirty politics by people with vested interests. Youngsters from different communities should come together and fight divisive politics. We must stay united and work together," said Chiranjib Narzary, (32), a Bodo student at National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Diplipa Hanse (22), a Karbi student studying in Bangalore, said, "The stress should be on development of resources for the locals. But I prefer coexistence as division will only be beneficial to some people."
However, some are in favour of division, but are opposed to the path of violent agitation being undertaken by many ethnic groups to achieve this end.
"My mother works in Diphu. She was waiting for a train to leave the town where government offices and vehicles were burnt by protesters demanding a separate state. Division may be a good idea if the leaders ensure that it doesn't become a means to increase their personal wealth," said Mumbai-based Kenny Basumatary, a filmmaker and novelist in his Thirties. "How does burning government property help when these will be needed the most if a new state is created? Does anyone in Delhi care about a PWD office burnt 2000 km away in a place which sends just one MP," added Basumatary.
S Phonglo (24), a Dimasa student in Delhi, is also in favour of division. "It will benefit the locals in Dima Hasao as jobs will be reserved for locals," she argued.