JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 31

Tour of North East – A challenge

The tour to the North-Eastern states, called the seven sisters – Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura –  was very difficult in earlier days compared to the present situation. Immediately after the formation of  BSNLEU in March 2021, it was decided to organise country wide tours. Tour of North East was part of the plan.

Three telecom circles viz. Assam, NE -1 and NE-2 covered these states. All other six states have border with Assam.

After a hectic tour of W.Bengal and Kolkata in June 2001, started for Silchar (Assam) by flight. There was a grand reception of Silchar Airport by the leaders and workers and two well attended meetings were held there at Telegraph Office and Head Post Office premises.

Aizwal (Mizoram)

Along with Com.S.Lyngdoh, Circle Secretary, T.IV Union, started for Aizwal, capital of Mizoram by bus. On the way, the bus was stopped by All Assam Students Union(AASU) stating that bandh was going on and no bus will be allowed to go. The crowd was very angry and we were afraid of being beaten. But Com.Lyngdoh got down, spoke  in the local language and convinced them not to stop us. He was well known to them. A large meting was held at Aizwal which was inaugurated by me and was addressed by Principal of the local college, Prof. Gohain, union leaders  Narayan Chakraborty, Prabir  Dutta, Swapan Chakraborty and others. There was heavy rain, but meeting was well attended.

Dimapur (Nagaland)

On the way to Dimapur, capital of Nagaland, we could see a few landslides of yesterday night.  Being rainy season, we were moving slowly. All of a sudden the driver stopped the vehicle. We could see about half a kilo meter in front, a landslide, huge rocks and mud falling and blocking the road. Had we been two minutes earlier, do not know what could have happened. We returned on the road we came.

Guwahati ( Assam)

Returned to Assam by bus and addressed a well attended meeting at Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Com.M.R.Das and other leaders of all unions also addressed. Another meeting in the divisional office was also held.

Imphal (Manipur)

From Guwahati along with Com. J.N.Mishra,the President of BSNLEU, Comrades Swapan Chakraborty and  Prabir Dutta  started for Imphal (Manipur ) by bus . It took a very long time going through the narrow roads. Our meeting at Imphal was  fixed at about 10.00 hours. We reached the border at about 06.00 hours or so. At the border, there was a military/ BSF checking post. While checking , they found a large number of old  coins in two small bags kept at the dashboard of the driver. When questioned, the driver told that he is taking them to give to somebody, in connection with the burial ceremonies, as is a religious custom. BSF was not satisfied and they took the driver to  their office  nearby for questioning. They clarified that it is a crime to carry such old coins. The bus was stranded there. Passengers were very much  worried. It was morning time and people wanted to go to toilets, wash faces etc. But there were no facilities. No water. Everybody anxiously waiting for the driver. About an hour passed by.

We went to the BSF post , where the driver was being questioned. I told the officers that the passengers are much troubled. I requested them that if the driver is to be questioned, why the passengers should be put in to trouble as the bus can continue with the second driver , who is available. They agreed and the bus was allowed to go, while the first driver was kept there.

Due to lack of speed and also the unexpected delay at the BSF post, we reached Imphal only at  about 13.00 hours, instead of 10.00 hours. On the way our Imphal comrades have come with a car and taken us. All the employees, including one Account Officer from Kerala were waiting for us at the meeting place.  We had not even brushed our teeth, gone to toilet or taken bath, which we wanted first. At the same time ,  keeping them for much more time was cruel. So, after toilet and a cup of tea, I started addressing the meeting, while others went for morning rituals and breakfast. By the time others came, I had concluded my speech and went for my morning rituals. It was almost evening by  the time the meeting was over and we started.

On the way we saw a few cycle rikshas standing on the road waiting for passengers. Their heads were completely covered  by clothes and looked like terrorists. I asked our comrades, why they are dressed like that. I was told that the drivers are mostly young people with high education, but due  to lack of  job opportunity, they are compelled for this job and do not want their identity to be known to the people. Many youngsters used to go in to  the army, but for some time Manipur people were denied of military recruitment, due to some unknown reasons.  

It was almost night by the time we reached the border to Nagaland. Military personnel  blocked us  stating that one cannot cross to Nagaland in the night due to obvious dangers. We had to reach Arunachal Pradesh next day. On our continued insistence they allowed us to cross after noting our names and addresses and taking a declaration that we are responsible for any danger that may happen. Fortunately, there was no untoward incident.

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh )

After a very long journey we reached the border of Arunachal Pradesh , but the car was not allowed to cross the border. Anyway, knowing the rules, Comrades from Itanagar have been waiting at the border and took us in their car. Including the top officers of the BSNL , a large numer of leaders and workers were waiting for the meeting. Though the meeting was fixed at 1700 hours due to our late arrival the meeting could start only at about 1900 hours. GS, Swapan Chakraborty, Prabir Dutta and other leaders also addressed.  

We returned next day to Tezpur in Assam and with a meeting there completed the tour. Due to heavy rain and bad climate, we could not go to Tripura and Meghalaya this time. But  toured there after some time.

The tour clearly showed us the challenges faced by the people of the North East. The area had been completely neglected. Rail connection is not in all states. Job opportunities are less.The continued agitations and protests are natural in such situation. The present conflict in Manipur is also part of this unhappy situation.

V A N Namboodiri  31.10.2024