Map of India with Proposed Barak state highlighted in dark red.

The Barak state movement includes political activities organised by various individuals, organizations and political parties, for creation of a separate state of Barak, within the republic of India, with Silchar as the capital. The proposed state corresponds to the 5 southern districts of the state of Assam namely: Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Dima Hasao, Hojai's (Lanka and Hojai circles) and Jiribam of Manipur respectively.^[1] The total area and population of proposed state is 13,379 km² and 4.5 million as per 2011 Census. The area is covered by thick tropical forests and is surplus in natural resources like tea, oil, natural gas and jute.^[2] There are around 125 tea gardens across the Valley. The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri on a visit have stated that the region is rich in natural gas and have further said that, "If those huge reserve is properly utilized, then it will definitely boost local industry & employment.^[3]

Statehood demand

The first call for separation was heard in the Valley since the famous Bengali language movement of 1960s, where 11 ethnic Bengalis laid down their lives to protect Bengali language and culture in the valley.^[4] A memorandum was submitted to the States Reorganisation Commission of India in 1955. However, in the same year, the State Reorganization Commission in a report have concluded that the idea of a separate state did not have much merits because of the fact that then the population of Barak Valley was very less to meet requirements of separate statehood and the total area was less than the neighboring erstwhile districts of Assam – Naga Hills, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills, North-East Frontier Agency and Lushai Hills which later have been carved out as separate states under North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Acts of 1971 and 1987 respectively.^[5]

Present Scenario

Members of Barak Democratic Front holding a press conference at Kolkata Press Club on the issue of Separate Barak state, (27.09.23).

Members of Barak Democratic Front holding a press conference at the Press Club of India, on the issue of Separate Barak state, (29/11/23).

The movement for Separate statehood demand has been carried out by Barak Democratic Front Chief Convenor Mr. Pradip Dutta Roy, who is also the founding President of "All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students Association" (ACKHSA) in the Valley.^[6][7] Another Organisation named - "Union Territory Demand Committee" (UTDC) has been demanding separate Union Territory status for the Valley since 1960s.^[8][9][10] On September 7, 2023, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a speech at a rally in Silchar and asserted that "If the people of Barak Valley want separation, I will not oppose that demand."^[11][12][13] However, he concluded by reaffirming the prevailing sentiment he encounters during his visits to Barak Valley, stating, "Whenever I come, people of Barak Valley tell me that they want to remain a part of Assam and not listen to supporters of separate Barak."^[11] The BDF subsequently conducted a press conference on September 8, 2023 and congratulated the Chief Minister for providing implicit support to the separation call.^[14] On September 27, 2023, members of Barak Democratic Front (BDF) held a press conference at the Kolkata Press Club shedding light on the long-standing grievances of Barak Valley residents while attempting to garner support for the creation of a new state named Purbachal, separate from Assam.^[15][16][17] On 29 November 2023, the demand for separate Barak state have been raised before the office of Prime Minister and Home Minister and a memorandum was also submitted by the members of Barak Democratic Front in Indian Parliament.^[18][19][20]

Aim and objectives

Struggle for existence, safeguard and welfare of the Bengali community and other ethnicities like Dimasa-Kacharis, Manipuris, Hindi-speaking Tea tribe, Tripuris, Odias and other tribal groups living in the Barak Valley. Its main purpose is to serve the public and students interests for holistic development of education, literacy, diversity of culture, language and socio-economic, etc. Eradication of social evils such as illiteracy, poverty, underdevelopment and other prejudices existing in the Valley. Preserve rich ancient historical heritage of the Valley specially – traditional fusion of Bengali-Dimasa culture of the land, historical monuments like kingdom of Khaspur, and its unique and vibrant identity etc. Demand legitimate constitutional rights and privileges for better economic well-being and growth, protection and coexistence and unity among the various sections of the people living in the Valley. The various individuals and organizations like Barak Democratic Front have demanded Economic Development Council for the same.^[21][22][23]

Reasons for Demand

The Barak Valley in Assam has unfortunately been historically neglected and underprivileged when it comes to infrastructure development, the tourism sector, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, IT industries, GDP (Gross Domestic Product), HDI (Human Development Index), and more. In comparison to the Assam mainland's Brahmaputra Valley, which enjoys access to these amenities, the Barak Valley lags significantly behind. This disparity has resulted in a troubling trend of brain drain among the younger generation in the Barak Valley. Many talented youths have chosen to leave the region due to its underdevelopment, and unfortunately, a substantial number of them have not returned. This has implications for the region's future development and growth as it struggles to retain its young, skilled workforce. Efforts to bridge this gap and invest in the development of the Barak Valley are essential to address these disparities.^[24]

The Poverty rate in Barak Valley is high as compared to mainland Brahmaputra Valley region of Assam. As per NITI Aayog, almost half of the population of the valley is living in dire poverty without having proper access to food, electricity and safe drinking water etc. A careful analysis of the report reveals the shocking reality. In terms of Multidimensional Poverty, the three districts of Barak Valley have featured among the poorest of districts in the state. As per report, about 51% of the Hailakandi's population, 42.37% of the Cachar's population and 46.02% of Karimganj's population are living under abject poverty.^[25] On April 2, 2020, without ration and wages for since March 24th, Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, have announced a 21-day lockdown, where about 70 thousands tea workers of Barak Valley region in Assam have became unemployed overnight and have struggled severely to find even one proper meal a day. Barak Valley have a total 125 tea gardens, of which 104 tea gardens across the three districts of the valley have been shut down and both the "Tea Association of India" and the "Indian Tea Association" — are hoping that the government will come up with a package to help them and end this crisis. But however, nothing have been done by the Government of Assam till now and the deprivation continues.^[26]

On 20th June, 2023, the Election Commission of India have reduced the number of seats share of Barak Valley in Assam Legislative Assembly from 15 to just 13 assembly constituencies. The reduction of seats have angered the people of Barak and have produced outrage against Assam Government, as it have reduced the representation of the valley in the state assembly, thus have gone against the concept of Democratic values".^[27]

Despite being rich in natural resources, the region is poor and disputes exist over the sharing and use of natural resources with the mother state. The linguistic and cultural gap has exacerbated deep division between the two valleys, resulting in calls for separation, as Barak Valley is predominantly a Bengali-majority region of the state, while the mainland Brahmaputra Valley region is mainly Assamese-dominated with significant population being indigenous tribals and immigrants from other parts.^[28]

See also

• Proposed states and union territories of India

References