far more developed than any state in North-East India. It certainly is, however, when we see a host of socio-political problems often leading to unrest aggravating the situation in the State, it appears as a story of hopelessness. The problems we are making reference to here are not just long-pending but intractable as well, as the immigrant problem, the NRC upgrading, the lower Subansiri mega dam project worries and the endemic floods and erosion as well as ethnic conflicts.

Assam, by far, is the most productive of all other states in the North-east. But in spite of that, the state is still several decades behind Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and even Orissa in industrialization. The reason is all too evident: it is the serious inward weakness Assam has long been suffering from in the shape of the nagging issues as alluded to in the earlier paragraph , that are per se the trigger for its far-from satisfactory growth. These unfortunate sensitive issues disturb the State’s industrial-friendly ambience, whenever civil society groups or opposition parties launch protest movement after they differ with the government on the modalities on resolving them. But today, due to lack of consensus on how to solve these complex issues leaders of social organizations and student bodies have not yet been able to arrive at with the government despite many discussions among them during the past couple of years, there is a periodic unrest in the State resulting from agitations over the NRC updating or any other sensitive issues, only delaying inordinately the process of solution.

Arguably, there are several far more ticklish issues in the State which need immediate solution not just for an enduring peace to return to it but for its accelerated development. One such issue that more often than not hit newspapers headlines is the Lower Subansiri Hydro-electric power project. An early solution to the stalemate over it can create a congenial atmosphere in the State. But what is galling is that due to what is called uncompromising attitude by both sides, it is till elusive. But the State actors and non-actors do not seem to have any regret for the process being abnormally delayed. Possibly, they want to keep it alive to use it for their personal gains in the days to come.

Assam, by far, is the most productive of all other states in the North-east.But in spite of that, the state is still several decades behind Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and even Orissa in industrialization.

The proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), 1951 updating issue is another sensitive problem facing the State for so long. The government, like the powerful student’s body, the AASW, wants it updated as a panacea to the solution to the problem of illegal migrants staying in Assam. That is why the government decided to undertake the process of updating the NRC in several districts including Barpeta, in July 2010. But it had to be abandoned half-way in Barpeta town following the AASW-led agitation against the NRC update turning violent when the rampaging protesters tried to stop the exercise. At least, four students were reportedly killed and 50 wounded when the police opened fire on an irate crowd.

In the near future, if there is any fresh attempt on the part of the government to resume the process at the same place, it  is feared, that violence may once again flare up during protests over the NRC update which in turn can trigger social tension. One thing is clear that the authorities will face stiff opposition from them whenever efforts will be made to do so in such minority pockets as Barpeta. For, the AAMSW president reportedly informed the government that the AAMSW will not accept the NRC update in the State and will continue to struggle for a new NRC. Which means a permanent peace in the State is a distant dream.

But, what may, however, turn out to be a major source of social unrest and add to further woes of Assam and its people in the not-too-distant future is the Maoists secret agenda to supposedly trigger a jungul-mahal-type situation as they did in West Bengal destabilizing the already-trouble-torn State.

Notably, for this plan to materialize, the maoist leaders are reportedly trying to do spade-work in the State such as committee formation with armed wings, establishing strong roots in different parts of the State working for the downtrodden sections of the society, and links with the rebel groups of the Northeast region to procure weapons to enhance their striking capability. Should the Maoists’ unlawful activities continue to grow, it is the peace that will yet gain begin eluding the State the authorities restored only after they succeeded in impressing upon quite a good number of potent insurgent groups to sign cease-fire agreements with the Centre; but it is all the more important for development to take driver’s seat.

Although it is indeed an uphill task to say for certain about how far the Maoists have over the years widened the areas of influence in Assam, if media reports are to be believed, it is to be conceded that what they have done till recently can be termed as a stupendous feat, that too, in the presence of the police of security forces watching them like a hawk, when they formed a couple of months before an armed outfit, extensively to wage a war against the State authority christened the “Revolutionary Peoples’ Guerrilla Army”. They have even managed their upper Assam Leading Committee and strong bases in the Sadiya area of Tinsukia district cashing in on the poverty and backwardness of the area as they did try to do so of late in the Maoist-infested at the much-publicized Jangal-Mahal in West Bengal. Presumably flushed with success, they will surely spare no pain to spread their tentacles in other parts of the State. It may not be a tough job to execute simply because there is a vacuum in the once-filled-in space sparked by a fairly god number of the State-born leading militant outfits coming overground to resolve their problems through negotiations.

Truly, the threat of what is called “Left Wing Extremist” is really a cause of concern. One wonders how they can carry on their activities amid the strong presence of security forces and police. Even the DGP in Assam Jayanta Narayan Choudhury, during a recent interview with a largely-circulated Guwahati-based English daily reportedly admitted that the activities of the Maoist rebels have spread like cancer.

What is even far more worrisome is their frantic efforts to establish links with the rebel organizations in the North-east as stated earlier, to procure China-made arms and ammunition. This came to the fore during recent investigation of their association with the Manipur-based insurgent outfit PIA by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The gorwing link between both the outfits can be ascribed to a formal agreement signed way back in 2008 by them to help each other. But what will indeed be of gravest concern if the Maoist rebels somehow establish contact with the PIA some of the rebel groups in the region are trying to do. In that event, the State may face constant threat to its unity and integrity.

However, one positive aspect in the backdrop of the threat perception is that save for one recent incident of attack on security personnel, the Maoists have not triggered any major security problem in the State. To be quite upfront, they are essentially keeping a low profile for some time after suffering setbacks following the arrests of a number of key members in July. Even then, the security angle cannot be ignored. The recent arrest of a zonal commander of the Maoists based in Jharkhand in Tezpur town is a pointer to their frequent visit to the State.

The State DGP Choudhury briefed that a Central fund of `30 crores a year would come for each of the districts for infrastructure development. If it is at all released, the government, it is believed, would be able to counter the Maoists’ propaganda of underdevelopment. It is heartening that the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of late announced a two-pronged strategy designed to deal with the rebels with a view to develop the backward areas of the State.

But the police and the security forces should not be contented about their recent successes. They should keep a closes watch on the situation to keep the Maoists from setting up anymore strong roots in the State. They, by all accounts, seem pertinacious. That is why coordination between thegovernments of the North-east States is also equally important.

By Dwaipayan