Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who was on a two-day visit to Barak Valley, recently, met advocate Pradip Dutta Roy and founder president of All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students Association (ACKHSA) on Tuesday night, at Circuit House, Silchar and appealed to him to withdraw his demand for a separate statehood.
Addressing media here at his residence on Thursday, Dutta Roy, said, “The chief minister urged me to take back demand for a separate Barak as neither the CM nor his government can think of Barak and Brahmaputra as two separate entities.”
Pradip Dutta Roy, in his reply informed the Chief Minister, that, “they would consider taking back their demands and work congenially with Brahmaputra valley, only if, Brahmaputra valley doesn’t vilifies them or look upon them with hatred all the time.” Some, so called intellectuals of Brahmaputra valley are not trying to understand our problem, which is very saddening, Dutta Roy, said.
The Chief Minister of Assam too pointed out the development works being carried out in Barak valley for the past two years.
“When we did Namami Brahmaputra, we also did Namami Barak. The government has earmarked Rs 500 crores for better roads of this region. Medical College is being set up in Karimganj and additional 200 beds are being attached to Silchar Medical College and Hospital. We cannot even think of leaving behind Barak from Brahmaputra valley in order to develop Assam”, the Chief Minister told Dutta Roy.
Dutta Roy also informed the media that Chief Minister has invited him to visit Guwahati soon to have more detailed talks to understand the pulses of the people of Barak valley. He also requested Sarbananda Sonowal, to take back the case against Ex-Vice Chancellor of Assam University Dr Tapadhir Bhattacharee registered in Guwahati High Court as it would please each and everyone in Barak valley. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has assured to look into the matter and has assured to take all necessary steps needed at the administrative level.
Dutta Roy expressed satisfaction with his talks with the Chief Minister but did not utter much on being asked whether he has given up his statehood demand.