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The freedom that wasn’t

Celebrating freedom is a basic human right. But the people of Assam or the northeast for that matter have been deprived of this joyous occasion for so long that it has lost its charm completely. The shadow of guns have always prohibited the people to let their hair down freely on these special days be it a Republic Day or an Independence Day.

When the entire nation erupts in joy celebrating these days of national significance Assam watches waiting on the sidelines awaiting a day when it too can partake in the festivities.

The people are unable to exercise their basic rights freely due to the decree of rebel organizations. As expected a series of serial bombings across the state marred the celebrations on Wednesday. According to reports four explosions rocked the Independence Day celebration in certain parts of Gauripur and Bongaigaon etc.

However the rebel warnings and foul weather failed to restrain the defiant people from attending the function held Judges field, Guwahati where Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi unfurled the national flag and inspected the guard of honour. The people here it seems have learnt to live under a shadow of violence for there is no way out. They know that anyday, anytime one may fall victim to a bomb blast or a stray bullet but life has to go on. Many innocent lives have fallen prey to terrorist violence and will continue to do so in the future too for there is no silver lining of hope as their pleas their offers of solution fall on deaf ears. Perhaps except the people who run the risk of victimization, the other parties are not really keen on a solution to this burning problem for their own vested interests politics can be a dangerous and dirty game.

But the people of the Northeast are trying in their own way to bring peace into their disturbed lives.The music lovers of Shillong chose music as a media of peace. Defying the usual bandh call they organized a concert to send their message to the rebel outfits.

The young generation of Assam and the northeast run the risk of failing to comprehend the true essence of India’s Independence or the nuances of patriotism if this trend of abstinence from celebrating any kind of national occasion continues.
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