An undying insurgency along with a number of issues in the north east have been forcing more than 35,000 people to leave the region in every single year. People, mostly, from Assam prefer to stay in metro cities.
This was more or less of what Sanjay Hazarika said when the author and veteran journalist observed at an interaction session in New Delhi on Sunday.
Hazarika, the professor and director of the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research in Jamia Millia Islamia University, Sanjoy Hazarika said the region is still lagging behind on many front. He said the rivers that act as lifeline of the region can’t serve the purpose in the present shape.
“If one drives from Bagdogra to Gangtok, one would find that the Teesta River like a big lake. It doesn’t flow properly because of the heap of debris.”
He further said, “Again, if you travel from Imphal to Kohima, the Barak doesn’t look like a river.”
Hazarika said that Land is the heart of every dispute in North East. It may be between different groups, ethnicities or between outsider and insider.
Earlier, Mary Beth Sanate in her address highlighted the common issues confronting the north eastern region. Shengnaider Tontang discussed recent incidents of flood and landslide in the region.
The interaction was organized by the Coalition on Environment and Natural Resources Television for Environment, and Assam Times Foundation.
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