torched in remote areas of the state and it is believed that these are connected to the ILP issue. A perceived over and done organization such as the HNLC has once again raised its head and bullets with pro - ILP slogans have been recovered by police personnel. I feel that all this could have been avoided if the two sides had been a little more understanding of the other’s stance instead of refusing to budge an inch. The President of India, in his recent visit to Shillong had rightly said that conflicts can only be solved through discussion and discourse and I feel that this is the need of the hour. The people of the state in general and Shillong in particular have been held ransom for much too long because of this issue and a solution to this impasse has to be arrived at as soon as possible.

T Bareh
Shillong

The article the white revolution which is about to take place in Barak Valley is testimony of the inherent potential that the states North East states of India possess. Wasn’t it just a few months back that another article about Assam exporting its red rice to America was featured in your magazine? These are just two of the many stories which show the potential that the North East region has to rise above its bywords of ‘remote’ and ‘neglected’. It is a fact that apart from the well known of ‘tourism’ sector, our North East region has much more to offer. In this regard, the authorities concerned need to have the acumen to be able to identify these strengths and the will to promote these strengths in right earnest.

B. Sharma
Guwahati

People like Moniruddin Ahmed are the unsung heroes of the places such as the Char areas of Assam which are struggling to be a part of the new Assam, an Assam which is on a fast track towards development. However, this development is seemingly capital centric where we see immense growth in Guwahati while the rest of the state is left far behind. This kind of development is a danger to Guwahati as it results in large scale urban – migration of people from the rural areas who are looking for jobs which are just not available in the rural areas. As such, development of the areas around and beyond Guwahati is imperative if Assam, as a state is to truly develop. The initiatives of people like Moniruddin Ahmed need to be highlighted so that others can follow their great examples and do their own little part in taking Assam to even greater heights of development.

M. U. Islam
Silchar

It is a crying shame that the juvenile in the Delhi rape case was given a sentence of just three years for perpetrating such a heinous crime especially as it has been learned that he was one of the main instigators of the crime. However, it needs to be noted that the judge had given him the maximum sentence under law which, in this case is a period of three years of imprisonment. This case surely brings to the fore the need for change in our judicial norms and the punishments that can be given to juveniles. The USA has different definitions of juvenile, depending on the crime committed. The age of a suspect who can be tried as a juvenile in that country depends on the nature of the crime and this is something that the Indian judicial system needs to take a serious look at. The term ‘juvenile’ is fast moving to the grey area and can no longer be looked at in terms of black and white.

MC Baruah
Guwahati