Silchar: The Barak Democratic Front (BDF) has written an open letter to the Prime Minister ahead of his proposed visit to Barak Valley on March 14, welcoming the visit while placing several long-standing demands and concerns of the region before the central government.

In the letter, the organisation extended an advance welcome to the Prime Minister for visiting Barak Valley, describing the region as the southernmost and historically significant part of Assam with a unique demographic and cultural identity. The group also pointed out that despite its importance, the valley has long suffered from neglect and biased policies, resulting in slower socio-economic development compared to other parts of the country.

The BDF expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s visit would address the issue of underdevelopment and lead to the announcement of new projects and policies for the region.

The letter highlighted unemployment as one of the most pressing concerns in the valley. According to the organisation, nearly four lakh people are registered as unemployed, while the actual number may be even higher. It said many educated youths with graduate and postgraduate degrees are forced to leave the valley in search of low-paid private jobs or even drive e-rickshaws to support their families.

The organisation also raised the issue of job reservation for local youth in third and fourth grade state government posts in the valley. It noted that although the state government had earlier committed to reserving these jobs for local candidates and a legislative provision was approved by the Assembly, the decision has not yet been implemented.

The closure of major public sector enterprises in the region was another concern mentioned in the letter. The Front pointed out that industries such as the Hindustan Paper Mill at Panchgram were shut down due to negligence and policy failures. It also said that a previously announced plan to set up an industrial hub on the abandoned land of the Panchgram paper mill has not seen any progress so far.

The letter further stated that Barak Valley has abundant natural and human resources, and proper planning and investment could create employment opportunities and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

Transport and communication problems were identified as the second major hurdle to development. The organisation said road and rail connectivity with the rest of the country is frequently disrupted during the rainy season because of landslides and floods. While welcoming the proposed fast express highway connecting the valley with Barapani, the Front urged the government to expedite work on the alternative railway line between Chandranathpur and Lanka.

The group also referred to the long-pending East-West Corridor project connecting Silchar with Saurashtra, a dream project of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It said that although the state government had earlier announced that the remaining 30-kilometre stretch in Dima Hasao district would be completed by January this year, no concrete progress has been reported.

Flooding was described as another major challenge faced by the valley almost every year. The organisation suggested that dredging of the Barak River could offer a permanent solution. It also noted that after the devastating floods of 2022, the state government had promised to improve the drainage systems in Silchar and Karimganj towns and repair embankments along the Barak River. However, the letter claimed that only around 30 percent of the work has been completed so far.

Among other demands, the Front reiterated the long-standing demand for a bench of the Guwahati High Court in Barak Valley to reduce the difficulties faced by people who currently have to travel to Guwahati for legal matters.

The letter also raised the demand to rename Silchar Railway Station as “Bhasha Shahid Station” in memory of the eleven language martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the language movement. The organisation stated that the proposal has already received approval from the Union Home Ministry and the Railway Ministry, and only a formal communication from the state government regarding the script of the name in three languages is required to finalise the process.

Expressing hope for positive steps, the Barak Democratic Front urged the Prime Minister to consider these long-pending issues and announce measures that would help the region move towards progress and prosperity.

The letter was signed by BDF Chief Convener Pradip Dutta Roy, along with conveners Hrishikesh Dey, Joydeep Bhattacharjee (Media Cell), Ainul Hoque Majumder, Debayan Deb, Haradhan Dutta, and Khaidem Kanta Singh.