Barak state movement

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.[2] 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.[3]

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. Its main purpose is to serve the public and students interests for holistic development of education, literacy, diversity of culture, language and socio-economic, etc. Eradication of social evils such as illiteracy, poverty, underdevelopment and other prejudices existing in the Valley. Preserve rich ancient historical heritage of the Valley specially – traditional fusion of Bengali-Dimasa culture of the land, historical monuments like kingdom of Khaspur, and its unique and vibrant identity etc. Demand legitimate constitutional rights and privileges for better economic well-being and growth, protection and coexistence and unity among the various sections of the people living in the Valley. The various individuals and organizations like Barak Democratic Front have demanded Economic Development Council for the same.[16][17][18]

The Barak Valley in Assam has unfortunately been historically neglected and underprivileged when it comes to infrastructure development, the tourism sector, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, IT industries, GDP (Gross Domestic Product), HDI (Human Development Index), and more. In comparison to the Assam mainland's Brahmaputra Valley, which enjoys access to these amenities, the Barak Valley lags significantly behind. This disparity has resulted in a troubling trend of brain drain among the younger generation in the Barak Valley. Many talented youths have chosen to leave the region due to its underdevelopment, and unfortunately, a substantial number of them have not returned. This has implications for the region's future development and growth as it struggles to retain its young, skilled workforce. Efforts to bridge this gap and invest in the development of the Barak Valley are essential to address these disparities.[19]

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 of the state, while the mainland Brahmaputra Valley region is mainly Assamese-dominated with significant population being indigenous tribals and immigrants from other parts.[20]