By Albert Thyrniang
Assam is burning! It is in a crisis – humanitarian and otherwise. The communal clash, riot, violence, genocide has left more than 70 dead and approximately 3 lakhs in relief camps. The magnitude of the problem is unfathomable. How did it happen? Why did it happen? Who is/are responsible? A CBI inquiry has already been ordered to answer these questions. While we await the official fact finding inquiry of the premier investigation agency, we can pronounce our own opinion.
“Sitting atop volatile volcano: Assam Was Waiting To Happen” By Poonam I Kaushish (ST July 31, 2012) reveals facts that are alarming. The Muslim Bangladeshis have become majority in 9 of the 27 districts. The immigrant population plays a deciding factor in 60 constituencies during elections. Some of the districts with a majority Muslim population are Barpeta 59%, Dubri 74%, Gaolpara 54%, Hailakandi 57%, Karimganj 52%, and Nagaon 51%. Kokrajhaar, the epicenter of the violence has a significant 20% Muslim population. In the state as a whole the minority community stands at more than 40%. It is staggering. Figures are unavailable but, presumably three fourth are illegal emigrants from Bangladesh. The 2001 census data also show that the Assamese speaking population in 7 districts in Assam has declined while the Bengali speaking has increased. The immigrants are not those who have sought political asylum. They are voters or else why there is an inflation of the number of Muslims voters in the state? The illegal infiltrated Bangladeshis are the reason.
Statistics apart, it is obvious to the naked observer that the demographic landscape of Assam has changed drastically in last few decades. The hard working people of this particular community have occupied the low land areas along railway tracks, roads and National High Ways. So they are easily noticed by everyone. It is even observed that it is they who are mostly affected by floods every year. The flood relief packages are benefited by them. Lakhs are foreigners. How were they allowed to settle in another country unhindered? No state worth its salt can do this. National Security is also at risk. The ISI can find safe haven.
It is the view of many that Kokrajhar was bound to happen. It’s like sitting on an active volcano. Sooner or later it will explode. When it does it will be disastrous. The indigenous people have become a minority in their own land. They feel threatened. They have been ‘invaded’ by the influx and infiltration from the neighbouring country through illegal channels. It was not that the governments of the day – central and state didn’t see this coming . They chose not to. It wasn’t that they were blind. They chose to be so. It wasn’t that they don’t know the implications and the consequences. They just ignored them. One excuse is for the sake of good relations with Bangladesh. This is ridiculous. I don’t give my land to my friend for free. I don’t sell my motherland to the citizens of another country for free. This is treason!
The other is for vote. This is what we call vote bank politics. The bargain is ‘allow us to settle illegally, we will vote for you’. This is selfishness. It is shameful. It is even demeaning. I allow myself to be elected by foreigners. My election is therefore, illegitimate and illegal. However, this was done by individuals and parties for short term and personal gain. Even the Election Commission is guilty. How come foreigners were allowed to enroll in the electoral lists? The screening procedures are weak. They are not watertight. They are full of loopholes. A mere BPL card is enough to fetch an EPIC!
The two major parties, the BJP and the Congress are playing politics with the sensitive issue. On 8th August, in parliament, instead of discussing the complex and complicated situation in the biggest state in the North East, the national parties deliberately diverted attention by focusing on trivial issues. LK Advani who earlier invited trouble for himself by predicting in his blog that the Prime Minister after the next general election could be from the non-Congress non-BJP, created another by alleging that the present government was illegitimate. The UPA chair person, known for calm and poise, instead of ignoring the unsubstantiated claim to focus on the greater and more urgent issue instigated her MPs not to let Advani go scot free. The result was: precious time was wasted shouting each other down. I am not a historian to judge as to which party is more responsible for the grim reality in Assam, but one thing is clear – while the Congress can be accused of playing politics the BJP too during its NDA regime didn’t do anything substantial to solve the challenges in Assam. How are we in Meghalaya viewing the tragedy in our neighbouring state? Are we complacent? Hello, be careful we are also sitting in an unexploded active volcano! God forbid, the same could happen here. Are we not nervous? Look at the Phulbari-Rajabala region! It resembles Bangladesh stated someone in this very column. Rajabala, is in fact represented by a ‘tribal Muslim’. There have been warnings earlier of a communal clash in some areas. A plain belt district has already been demanded. A match stick is enough to ignite an uncontrollable flame. There was a letter from an organization in secret circulation calling for ‘Islamisation’ of Garo Hills. The target is to change the local names of towns into Muslim ones.
Who is responsible for ‘turning Meghalaya into Bangladesh’? The Central Government and its agencies? The state government? Or the District Council perhaps? What about the Nokmas, the land owners, the NGOs and the ordinary (local) citizens? Are/Were we not vigilant enough? Are we not farsighted? The degree varies, but may be we are collectively responsible. Learning from mistakes, from history and from others is crucial. Failing to do so will lead to doom.
What are the steps to be taken to prevent Meghalaya from becoming Assam? One is Inner Line Permit. Records show its effectiveness in tackling infiltration and illegal immigration. Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh are clear examples. The other is work permit. The government must implement this demand without any further loss of time. NGOs and interest groups, concerned citizens and civil society must put pressure on the government to implement/introduce work permits in the state immediately to check influx.
One lesson that we can learn from these much maligned community is hard work. They flourish in extreme conditions. They have an endearing and enduring spirit. They can survive anywhere, anyhow. They are a source of cheap labour. They do any work. They work under the sun and under the rain. It’s a big temptation for firms and companies, organizations and individuals to hire them. At times there is no option but to employ them. That’s how they spread. We indigenous people have to learn before it is too late.