Telangana Storm Hits Assam, Separate Statehood Demands Get Strident


Syed Zarir Hussain/IANS

 Guwahati, Dec 11: Spurred by New Delhi's attempt at granting a separate Telangana state, several ethnic groups in Assam have raised the banner of revolt with demands for separate states to be carved out of the region.

Among the prominent groups that have already raised the issue of separate statehood are the Bodos, the Karbis, and the Dimasa tribes in Assam.


File Picture

The first to raise the issue is the Bodoland People's Front (BPF), an ally of the ruling Congress party in Assam.

"If Telangana can be carved out of Andhra Pradesh, why not a separate Bodoland in Assam," BPF leader Hagrama Mohilary told IANS.

Mohilary headed the now disbanded Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), a militant group that fought for a separate Bodoland since 1996.

In 2003, the central government signed an accord with the BLT paving the way for the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Council, a politico-administrative structure, providing greater autonomy to the tribal Bodos.

"We are surely going to revive our demand for Bodoland and launch a sustained mass movement to fulfil our aspirations," Mohilary said.

Similar demands were raised by the All Dimasa Students' Union and the Dimasa People's Council (DPC) for a 'Dimaraji' state - a separate state for the Dimasa tribe in Assam.

"The government earlier said a state within states was not good, but now with the central government agreeing for Telangana, we also feel we should get our rights. Dimaraji is not just a demand, it is a fact and our birth right," Mrinal Kanti Phonglosa, DPC president, said.

The Karbi tribe in Assam has also raised a similar demand for a Karbi homeland.

The situation in Assam is more intricate as almost all the tribes demanding separate states are backed by militant groups - the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) seeking a separate Bodoland, the Dima Haolam Daogah (DHD) demanding a Dimaraji state, the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front seeking a Karbi homeland, besides several other small rebel groups fighting for similar demands.

"The Telangana episode would have a major impact in the region and unless we get our Bodoland there cannot be permanent peace," S. Sangjarang, publicity chief of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), said.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Sathish.Shetty, Mangalore

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    ITS BETTER TO HAVE SMALLER STATES SO THAT THE ITS EASIER TO GOVERN SAMLLER AREAS ,PEOPLE WILL HAVE MORE ADVANTAGE.MORE PROGRESS AND MORE FASTER DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN.FOR EXAMPLE IF A COMMON MAN OF MANGALORE HAS SOME GOVERNMENT PAPER TO BE DONE ONE HAS TO GO ALL THE WAY TO BANGALORE AND WASTE ALL HIS TIME AND MONEY .SAMLLER SATES GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE TOO.JAI HIND

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • manjunath pai, mangalore/dubai

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    We Indians are hypocrites according to me. Though we sing "jana gana mana" and hoist the Indian tricolour on the 15th August, we are extremely regional minded when it comes to traditon and cultures. Yes. We are diversed in culture and other things. People from west hail our unity in diversity but I feel it is becoming a bane than boon. Hope Bharath Matha Ki jai slogan will remain for at least some years!!!!!!!!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    blackmailing Gandhis phylosophy!! Nagesh maam, your Sushma swaraj wanted Telangana State! Do not sing different now! You all forced Congress to accept new State! Why singing new song now?

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Murali, Mangalore

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    May be in few years ur locality would be one state.Just fast for 15 days ,reach the intensive care unit and even have some alcohol in b/w

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Naveen Sequeira, Mangalore

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    it was the previous NDA state which created Jarkand and other states which have gone from bad to worse. Unfortunately UPA is also doing the ame thing. One cannot forget that BJP in Andra is actually not opposing this circus. At the end of the day we all should understand that these politicians need new states to increase corruption and more scams.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Kamath, Bangalore/Udupi

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    when the well educated people of Udupi/DK can demand for a separate Tulu State, why not these illiterate tribal people?

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Shrinath Shet, Oman

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    What is happening to India? What is going on in India? What is wrong with people? Central Govt has made wrong decision by granting a new state for Telangana. Now many states will initiate for dividing the state, this means dividing our motherland India. Why the Central Govt has taken decision just for the hunger strike of Chandra Shekhar Rao? Is it so important? These some of the politicians have divided India in the past, are dividing India at present, and will divide India in future also. There should be a full stop for this money wasting process. Millions of Indians including our elders fought for the freedom of India before 1947 to make this land a free nation with peace and prosperity. But, what’s going on now a day? Is this the way how to be grateful to our brave freedom fighters? Is this the way how our politicians and people to react for nothing? Do these people have an idea that how much of money requires for forming a new state? From where money will come for these processes? Is it by imposing more tax or new taxation rules? Will this be a burden for the innocent, below poverty line and medium class people? This is the real tragedy of India. Because of the selfishness of some of the politicians today India has many internal problems. This is making India very weak in the internal affairs. Only God should help and save our motherland India.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • nagesh nayak, bangalore

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    CREATION OF TELANGANA IS A WRONG DECISION. WE SHOULD MAINTAIN STATUS QUO ON NUMBER OF STATES IN INDIA. SONIA GANDHI, MMS , CHIDU & CONGRESS LEADERS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN SUGGESTION FROM OPPOSITION BEFORE ANNOUNCING SEPARATE STATE OF TELANGANA IN MIDNIGHT.

    IT IS NOTHING BUT WELCOMING MORE PROBLEMS & CREATE UNREST IN INDIA FOR EVER. NOW, BODO LAND, GORKHA LAND THIS & THAT LAND WILL BORN LIKE A MUSHROOM. IN KARANATAKA COORG PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING SEPARATE STATE. NO DOUBT TOMORROW WE MAY ASK FOR TULUNADU SINCE MR.CHANDRASHEKAR GOT TELANGANA BY SITTING HUNGER & WEAK UPA FRIGHTENED FOR HUNGER STRIKE. JAI HO INDIA.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Shrinath Shet, Oman

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    Central Govt has made wrong decision by granting a new state for Telangana. Now many states will initiate for dividing the state, this means dividing our motherland India. Why the Central Govt has taken decision just for the hunger strike of Chandra Shekhar Rao? Is he so important?

    These politicians have divided India in the past, are dividing India at present, and will divide India in future also. There should be a full stop for this money wasting process. Do these people have an idea that how much of money requires for forming a new state? From where money will come for these processes?

    Is it by imposing more tax or new taxation rules? Will this be a burden for the innocent, below poverty line and medium class people? This is the real tragedy of India. Because of the selfishness of some of the politicians today India has many internal problems. This is making India very weak in the internal affairs. Only God should help India.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Antony T. D Souza, Karkala /Koppla/ Qatar

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    Center’s decision on Telengana is the first 'nasty babe' step in the wrong direction on partition of India. Hypocritical approach and easy game to create new states in the name of “fast unto death” should be rooted out from the buds itself. Center should not budge on this theme of Divide and Rule into New States..

    Considering the gravity of the situation the only way out is for the UPA Government to STAY its decision on Telengana and further in Assam etc., and restore the status quo . All-party consensus a high-powered Commission may be formed to go into the whole question of State-reorganization. The alternative option to this might spread to other states faster AIDS and Swine Flue of course later Cancer to the satisfaction of Pakistan and China.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • jagadish, bangalore

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    it is very bad situation to india because in our country more states how to maitain .

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry Misquith, MANGALORE/BAHRAIN

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    I strongly believe dignity is in unity and not seperation. Sardar Vallaba Bhai Patel, finished riyasat and created united India. This is the dangerous game played by politicians for the votes by dividing states.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Steven Cardoza, Mangalore/Dubai

    Fri, Dec 11 2009

    What is happening in India? Aren't there a lot of other things to concentrate in our country like poverty eradication, development of the country, security of the country against the anti social elements,environment protection, corruption etc.

    India is known all over the world for its diversity in Culture. Why people are bent in dividing the country, why people after so many incidents do not understand that due to some vested interests of some people they are playing with their lives and futures. Wake up!!! Wake up!!! people atleast now.

    Look around you and understand things that are happening are wrong. Youngsters it is time we join hands together and we oppose such nonsense and save our country and work for peace and harmony among all in our country. Our freedom fighthers must be thinking that all their sacrifices and efforts they had put in their lives to secure independence is a total waste. Wake up people !!!! Wake up!!! JAI HIND

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • CYRIL MASCARENHAS, KIREM/MIRA ROAD

    Thu, Dec 10 2009

    WHY WE CANNOT EVERY DISTRICT IN INDIA WILL BE A SEPARATE STATE...NOW WE START FASTING TILL WE GET IT.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Telangana Storm Hits Assam, Separate Statehood Demands Get Strident



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.