Assam CM asks to work out alternative routes connecting region to India
Guwahati: The remark of the chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh Muhammad Yonus has invited angry reactions from the chief ministers of northeastern states who not only condemned his statement but also asked to work out alternative routes connecting northeast.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday condemned the offensive statement of Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and called for prioritisation of exploring alternative routes connecting the Northeast to the rest of India, bypassing the 'Chicken's Neck'.
Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged Beijing to extend its economic influence to his country, mentioning that India's northeastern states being landlocked could prove to be an opportunity.
Mr Sarma in his social media post said, “The statement made by Md Younis of Bangladesh, the so-called interim Government referring to the seven sister states of Northeast India as landlocked and positioning Bangladesh as their guardian of ocean access, is offensive and strongly condemnable.”
He asserted, "Such provocative statements by Md Younis must not be taken lightly, as they reflect deeper strategic considerations and longstanding agendas.”
Mr Yunus made the comment during his recent four-day visit to China. "The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean," he said.
Mr Sarma pointed out that this remark underscores the "persistent vulnerability narrative associated with India's strategic 'Chicken's Neck' corridor".
He also called for the prioritisation of exploring alternative road routes connecting the Northeast to the rest of India, effectively bypassing the 'Chicken's Neck'.
The chief minister said, "Historically, even internal elements within India have dangerously suggested serving this critical passageway to isolate the Northeast from the mainland physically. Therefore, it is imperative to develop more robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chicken’s Neck corridor.”
Mr Sarma however said that this may pose significant engineering challenges, but it can be achieved with "determination and innovation".
The strategic Siliguri Corridor, called the 'Chicken's Neck' for its shape, is a strip of land located in northern West Bengal, having a width of just over 20 km. This narrow strip, which connects the Northeast to the rest of India, is sandwiched between Nepal and Bangladesh, with Bhutan and China a few hundred km away.
Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh also strongly condemned Md Yunus, accusing him of attempting to frame Northeast as a "strategic pawn" to serve geopolitical interests.
Mr Singh warned Md Yunus against making reckless comments about India, saying that such remarks were "not only unwise but also lead to consequences."
"It is apparent that Md Yunus and his interim government in Bangladesh are attempting to frame the Northeast as a strategic pawn to serve their geopolitical ambitions. Such provocative and irresponsible statements are unbecoming of a leader, and I condemn his remarks in the strongest possible terms," said Mr Singh.
The founder of the Tipra Motha Party Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma also condemned the recent remarks made by Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh. Debbarma urged the Indian government to respond firmly, viewing Yunus’ comments on India’s Northeast region as a direct threat.
