Jorhat (Assam), Aug.22 (ANI): Annoyed by the long spell of militancy in their State, people in Assam are not just eager to see peace prevailing in the State but many of them are actively working to ensuring this.
A visit to rural areas in Jorhat District reveals about the transformation which could be possible due to people' personal initiative and collective endeavour.
Twenty five kilometres from Jorhat city is Paphar Syman, a small hamlet in Titabor sub-division. Existing since 1825, it has around 90 households, a majority of them belonging to Tai-Turung community.
As peace prevails in Paphar Syman, many government schemes have been implemented in the village and the local have been able to benefit from them. aking advantage of micro finance schemes, many villagers have started small businesses like tea gardening, piggery, fishing and poultry.
Paphar Syman today reflects that more villages in Assam and other parts of the northeast can reap dividends of peace.
There was a time when militant groups like United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muviah) NSCN (IM) were active in this region.
But people of Paphar Shyam did not let them to influence the youth in the village.
Villagers here want their youngsters to get better education and lead a respectable life.
Education has changed many lives in this village, as it today boasts of a primary as well as high school to educate the local youth.
"I will never allow the youth to join any terrorist group. I will teach them how to read and write and get better education to become a doctor or an engineer. With such efforts our state can be developed," said Padmodha Shyam, an educated local youth.
Twenty nine-year-old Nipon Turung, who studied engineering at Guwahati University, returned to his native place here and started tea gardening.
Today, he owns a tea garden spread over 35 Bighas of land and employs eight permanent employees.
He says militancy is a big hurdle in the development of the region.
"Northeast is mostly affected by militancy and unless it is eradicated, no State can become prosperous. Militants continue to misguide the youth and this is the root cause of many problems," says Nipon Turung.
Villagers here want insurgents to shun violence and hold talks to allow others to live in peace and prosper.
"People should call the militant groups to come forward for a dialogue with the government for long-lasting peace in Assam," said Kavita Vikhu, a monk. By Vashipem Kamodang (ANI)
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