Barak state movement
[7] The movement for Separate statehood demand has been carried out by Barak Democratic Front Chief Convenor Mr. Pradip Dutta Roy, who is also the founding President of "All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students Association", (ACKHSA) in the Valley.
[10][11][12] On September 7, 2023, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a speech at a rally in Silchar and asserted that "If the people of Barak Valley want separation, I will not oppose that demand.
[23][24] On 28 December 2023, Barak Democratic Front Chief Convenor Mr. Pradeep Dutta Roy, in a bold move, has challenged the state government with a proposal that have potentially changed the course of the movement.
The Former president of the Samiti and legal practitioner, Mr. Nazrul Islam Laskar, have highlighted the prolonged consideration of the discourse surrounding the creation of a new state in the Barak Valley.
He underscored the transformative potential of statehood, emphasizing its capacity to facilitate comprehensive development, beginning with citizenship rights, and effectively addressing the diverse issues faced by the Valley people.
[26] Struggle for existence, safeguard and welfare of the Bengali community and other ethnicities like Dimasa-Kacharis, Manipuris, Bishnupriyas, Hindi-speaking Tea tribe, Tripuris, Odias and other tribal groups living in the Barak Valley.
Demand legitimate constitutional rights and privileges for better economic well-being and growth, protection and coexistence and unity among the various sections of the people living in the Valley.
[30] As compared to rest of Assam, the unemployment rate in Barak Valley is also high and is one of the main reasons behind the massive migration of its youth to other parts of India in search of livelihood.
[31] On 18 November 2022, a Bandh was organized by Barak Democratic Front in protest against the deprivation of unemployed youths of the valley in the Class III and IV job recruitment process.
As per NITI Aayog, almost half of the population of the valley is living in dire poverty without having proper access to food, electricity and safe drinking water etc.
[35] On April 2, 2020, without ration and wages for since March 24, Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, have announced a 21-day lockdown, where about 70 thousand tea workers of Barak Valley region in Assam have become unemployed overnight and have struggled severely to find even one proper meal a day.
[38] During the Lok Sabha elections on April 23, 2024, candidates contesting in Assam's Barak Valley constituencies of Silchar (SC) and Karimganj highlighted significant issues, including citizenship concerns, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and inadequate connectivity with the rest of the country, emphasizing the perceived neglect and lack of attention from the state government.
In 1832, the Kachari Kingdom was annexed by the East India Company, and from 1832 to 1874 AD, it was made a part of the Bengal Presidency due to linguistic similarities and administrative convenience.
