The decades-old demand of formation of Union Territory of Barak Valley region of South Assam is being echoed across the three districts of South Assam.
In a press conference held at Silchar Press Club on 24th August, the present leaders of Union Territory Demand Committee (UTDC), which was formed in the year 1971, had once again reiterated their demand of a Union Territory for Barak Valley region of South Assam consisting of three districts of Assam, namely Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.

Shankar Dey, the Chief Co-ordinator of UTDC Central Committee informed the media persons that in the first phase a signature campaign of one lakh people of the region will be collected and again a memorandum will be submitted to the Prime Minister in the month of October.
Dey highlighted the memorandum submitted on 16th January 2018 where it was detailed the circumstances,  the necessity and the opportunities the Union Territory shall provide for the welfare and self-determination of the people of this region.

Dey also stated that the demand is historically an old one which the Government has to consider. This movement is a peaceful one but is for the political right of the people. He also pointed out the discrimination met out by the Assam Government in all respect to the Barak Valley region irrespective of a political party being in power. He strongly condemned the psychology of dominance of the Assam Government and destroying the multilingual fabric of Assam and restricting citizen’s constitutional rights.

Sanjit Debnath, President of UTDC central committee stated that Government of India and Assam will have to accept the Union Territory of Barak Valley Region because of logistic, political reasons as they have no other options left. He also demanded Centre’s immediate intervention and honour the sentiment of the people of Barak Valley.

Mayazul Ali Barbhuiya, Sr Vice President of UTDC stated that the deprivation in the remotest corner of the region is being observed by him and he highlighted that in this region multiple races and people live cohesively and peaceful but all communities are seriously neglected. So he questioned whether the issues of the region does not reach Delhi Government?

Biswadeep Gupta, National Coordinator, UTDC echoed that Government of India cannot neglect the demand of a Union Territory of Barak Valley looking into the geopolitical strategic location of the region. He highlighted that if the Government of India is to make the Act East Policy successful, Barak Valley needs to be taken as a gateway to South-East Asia. Gupta also appealed to people stationed outside to wholeheartedly come forward and support the movement.

Mrinmoy Nath, Secretary UTDC, highlighted various atrocities by many Assam Government officers to the people of the region and he did not mince word to state that even East India Company had also not extracted such wealth that is being done for past decades here.

A grassroots level activities are planned by UTDC where Shankar Dey informed the formation of UTDC Youth Front and Women Front as well as other technical cells are planned.