Barak state movement

The Barak state movement includes political activities organised by various individuals, organizations and political parties, for creation of a separate state of Barak, within the republic of India, with Silchar as the capital. The proposed state corresponds to the 3 southern districts of the state of Assam. It makes up for 8.82% of area and 11.61% of population of the present state of Assam. The area is covered by thick tropical forests and is surplus in tea, oil, natural gas and jute.

Map of India with Barak highlighted in dark red.

Statehood demand

See also: Bengali Language Movement (Barak Valley)

The first call for separation was heard in the Valley since the famous Bengali language movement of 1960s, where 11 ethnic Bengalis laid down their lives to protect Bengali language and culture in the valley. A memorandum was submitted to the States Reorganisation Commission of India in 1955. However, in the same year, the State Reorganization Commission in a report have concluded that the idea of a separate state did not have much merits because of the fact that then the population of Barak Valley was very less to meet requirements of separate statehood and the total area was less than the neighboring erstwhile districts of Assam - Naga Hills, Khasi and Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills, Lushai Hills etc. which later have been carved out as separate states under North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Acts of 1971 and 1987.

Presently, The Movement for separate state demand has been carried out by "Barak Democratic Front" leader Mr. Pradip Dutta Roy (A Bengali organization of the Valley). Another Organization- "Union Territory Demand Committee" (UTDC) has been demanding separate Union Territory status for the Valley since 1960s.

Aim and objectives

Struggle for existence, safeguard and welfare of the Bengali community and other ethnicities like Dimasa-Kacharis, Manipuris, Hindi-speaking Tea tribe, Tripuris, Odias and other tribal groups living in the Barak Valley; Serve the students and the community for all round developments in education, literacy, various culture, language and socio-economy etc. Eradicate social evils likes– Illiteracy, untouchables and other superstitions which are detrimental to the society; Preserve rich ancient heritages – traditional cultures, historical relics, identity etc.; Claim legitimate constitutional rights and privileges for better growth, safeguard and co-existence and unity among various sections of valley's people. The various individuals and organizations like Barak Democratic Front have demanded Economic Council for the same.

Reasons for Demand

Barak Valley is the most neglected and deprived part of Assam in terms of its infrastructure development, tourism sector, educational institutions, hospitals, IT industries, G.D.P, H.D.I etc. and is still lagging behind in comparison to the Assam's mainland Brahmaputra Valley which have access to all of those facilities. Brain drain have became a trend among the younger generation of Barak Valley. Many youths have left the Valley because of underdevelopment and have never returned.

Despite being rich in natural resources, the region is poor and disputes exist over the sharing and use of natural resources with the mother state. The linguistic and cultural gap has exacerbated deep division between the two valleys, resulting in calls for separation, as Barak Valley is predominantly a Bengali-majority region, while the mainland Brahmaputra Valley region of Assam is Assamese-dominated with significant population being indigenous tribals.