Neglected North-East

Sir, - I wish to thank Mr. Murkot Ramunny for his article ``Towards a happier north-east'' (Aug. 16). It makes us happy to see that the people of the `mainland' (he used the word `mainstream') are now thinking about the problems of our region. We agree with all his comments and suggestions. His suggestion that a scientific review of the problems be made by a competent group, aware of the region's history and socio-cultural and economic conditions, makes sense. The group should also find out why the locals fail and migrants succeed in every economic activity in this area.

He has pointed out that internal and external communication are important. Internal communication is so deplorable in this area that during the Assembly elections officials had to use elephants to reach the polling station in the Guwahati West constituency. And security personnel, engaged in anti-insurgency operations, use bicycles and horses due to poor roads. A passenger train takes four hours to cover a mere 70 km. distance. This being the situation of Assam, in Arunachal Pradesh, if anyone wants to go from one district headquarter to another he has to go through Assam. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya are virtually not connected by railway lines. We hope the article by Mr. Ramunny will initiate a new approach to the study of the problems and prospects of the north-east.

Amal Deka,

Bongaigaon, Assam

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Beginning of anarchy
Next     : Law and ethics