HAPPY 67th INDEPENDENCE DAY INDIA!!

Unlike every year, Independence Day this time has cast a shadow of insecurity in my mind too. With the state of Assam being on the verge of division (which I, for a fact know will not so easily happen), you cannot help but recall all the acts of terrorism that had bruised the state, left, right and centre on this particular day, since times immemorial. If you belong to the north-eastern 7 sisters of India, you pretty well understand the picture and can recall the images. Yes, I admit, we are a state suffering the brunt of terrorism for as long as our grandparents can recall, and shamefully, somewhere in our hearts we have grown accustomed to this fact. But what really scares me this time are the (ethnic?) conflicts that we've been facing.

Being a proud Indian and never a person to encourage people to stay indoors during the Republic Day or Independence Day celebrations, this time I am different. I feel really insecure and troubled. I very strongly believe, most of the terrorists are really messed up people. They undoubtedly need mental medication and counselling, but what do I say about those demanding a divided Assam? Your campaigns and protests have a political figure at the head. And I won't regret saying, that this year, you are the reason the shops are shut down, you are the reason the roads are deserted wherein, they should have been filled with happy faces, celebrating our independence. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You should hang your heads down in shame! People are scared you are gonna create a blast (literally). I am scared too. At a time, when the whole country is celebrating our 67 years of Independence, a day, a feeling, for which people have been losing their lives since the era of the British Raj, you, are creating an atmosphere of insecurity that is reflecting in the lifeless streets of Assam. Did those people struggle and lay down their lives so that people and organisations like you could bully our independent and free soul?

Yes, for a very long time, Assam, in particular did wear the deserted look on this day, but the recent years had proved that we were over coming that tradition and embracing freedom from fear. But thanks to you, we are back to square one. I really hope someone talks sense into your heads very soon.