Assam is tucked away in the north-eastern part of India, and is home to the "Assam black tea" we often drink. This place has always been a major stone on the mind of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Curiously, the Assamese people who inhabit this land are very different from the typical Indian appearance. On the contrary, they bear a striking resemblance to the neighboring Burmese, as if they were like siblings.
It is inevitable that there will be bitterness between different races. The Assams are no exception. Deep down, they were ashamed to be in the Indian army, and their relationship with the Indian government was drifting apart.
As a result, independence movements and ethnic conflicts in Assam have intensified in recent years. To this day, it has not subsided, which has aroused widespread attention at home and abroad.
In order to evade India's legal sanctions, a large number of separatists have fled to India's neighboring countries. Then from time to time, he sneaked back into the country and then created incidents, which brought a lot of trouble to the Indian government.
What is it that allows a region's independence movement to persist for decades, with constant turmoil and contradictions? What's the secret behind all this?
1. Reasons for the independence of Assam
Nestled in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, Assam is blessed with abundant natural landscapes such as tea plantations, hills, forests, etc. With a total area of about 78,400 square kilometres, it is the sixth largest state in India by area.
Its proximity to China's Tibet, Myanmar and Bangladesh gives it a strategically important geopolitical position. The Indian government has always regarded Assam as an important barrier on its northeastern border to prevent infiltration and interference by external forces.
Assam was once an independent kingdom. In the mid-19th century, the British Empire invaded Assam, forcing it to merge with the British Indian Empire. So a lot of people in Assam feel that they were forced into India by the British.
Xuanzang's "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" was the earliest recorded that in history, Assam was another name for the Dai people, and it was called "the country of Gamo Wibo" at that time. Although these Dai people are related to the Dai people in present-day China, they are not part of China as an independent political entity.
Therefore, the subject people of Assam are not the same ethnic group as the subject people of India, and Assam has its own unique language and traditions. Under Indian rule, these cultural heritages were less protected and promoted. The inhabitants of Assam believe that they can better preserve and develop their culture only if they are independent.
At the same time, Assam is rich in natural resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, and tea due to its unique geographical location.
However, due to the control of the central government of India over its development and use, it has resulted in uneven distribution of resources and backward economic development. The people of Assam believe that once they gain independence, they will have more opportunities to use their resources to drive economic growth and prosperity in the country.
This multicultural land has become a hotbed of contradictions and violence, and conflicts are constant. The intertwining of issues has intensified the independence movement in Assam.
2. Protracted ethnic conflicts
In 1983, there was a genocide in Assam. The Native Assamese launched attacks on the migrant Bengalis, killing a total of about 3,000 people. The incident exacerbated tensions between the local communities and led to the formation of the United Liberation Front for Assam.
It was not until 2011 that the two sides finally signed a ceasefire, but the clashes have already killed more than 10,000 people.
In 2012, there were a number of ethnic clashes and violence in Assam. Assam's indigenous population and foreign Muslim immigrants have fueled conflict and violence.
At least 41 people have been killed and nearly 200,000 have been left homeless in the conflict. The conflict was gradually eased by the intervention of security forces by the Indian authorities, but the deep-seated social contradictions and ethnic problems were not fundamentally resolved. In July 2021, six police officers were killed in violent clashes between Assam and Mizoram over a border dispute.
And the Assam United Liberation Front, which has been waging armed struggle for a long time, is trying to separate Assam from India. To this day, they have established nine bases in Bhutan and show no signs of stopping.
III. Consequences of the independence of Assam
If Assam succeeds in gaining independence, India will face an unbearable situation.
The independence of Assam will completely change the situation on India's northeastern border. India will lose ties with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China's Tibet, and its influence in the region will be diminished. There is also an increased risk of border disputes and conflicts between India and its neighbours, leaving its northeastern part isolated.
Assam, India's leading tea producer, and its independence will reduce India's tea production, which will have a negative impact on India's agriculture and exports. In addition, Assam is rich in natural resources, and India has lost control of the resources, further undermining India's economic power.
The independence of Assam will exacerbate ethnic and religious conflicts in India. Assam is one of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multilingual regions of India, and its independence will set a precedent for five other countries in northeastern India. Fueling their desire for greater autonomy and even independence, it provoked civil unrest in India.
From the point of view of international politics, the independence of Assam will attract widespread attention and reaction from the international community. As an important country in South Asia, Assam's independence provides an opportunity for other countries to intervene, increasing the risk of regional tensions.
epilogue
The implications of Assam's independence for India will be manifold, complex and far-reaching. Therefore, the Government of India should take positive measures to strengthen national unity and social stability. Promote economic development and cultural prosperity in order to address the various challenges and risks that may arise.
Reference Links:
Fangrun Says History 2024-04-03"Closely adjacent to China, once Assam India becomes independent, how serious will the consequences be"
Insight into Literature and HistoryTalk 2024-01-09"Close to the southern Tibetan region of the mainland, once Assam becomes independent, how much will India lose? 》
Junjunguan History 2023-07-23"Close to China and far away from India proper, once Assam becomes independent, how much will India lose? 》