Let Barak Valley be made a separate state, says former President of Asom Sahitya Sabha, Nagen Saikia

Oct. 22: Amid the ongoing controversy over black ink on Assamese hoarding in Silchar, former President of Asom Sahitya Sabha, Nagen Saikia in order to maintain peace and tranquility in the region, a status of a separate statehood should be granted to Barak Valley. While interacting with the media in Dibrugarh, eminent Assamese litterateur Nagen Saikia said that such a call for separation of Cachar from Assam was earlier mooted by former Asom Sahitya Sabha presidents- Hitesh Deka and Mahendra Borah.

Nagen Saikia was, however, quick to add that though he is personally not convinced with the choice of ascribing a separate statehood to Barak Valley, yet, looking into the present situation in the state, he said that a status of a separate state would bring to an end the heated situation in the state. Nagen Saikia was formerly a Professor at Dibrugarh University and also been a member to the Rajya Sabha.

Reacting on this statement by Mr Saikia, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) general secretary Sankar Jyoti Baruah refused to pass any comment. But at the same time AASU stressed upon maintaining the territorial integrity of the state.