Most of the speakers in a mass convention in Silchar on Sunday stressed the need for immediate economic development of Barak Valley in South Assam.

They expressed concern over the lackadaisical attitude of the state and central governments towards the introduction of any scheme for the economic development of the valley. The convention was organised on Sunday by the Nagarik Swarthraksha Sangram Parishad to discuss ways for the economic development of the valley.

It held the view that there could be an earning of Rs 1,342 crore per year through the existing resources of the valley.

Various speakers said Rs 584 crore may be earned through the milk sector, Rs 520 crore in the fisheries sector, Rs 18 crore through tourism and Rs 20 crore by setting up a food park.

Speakers said the tourism sector in Barak Valley is totally neglected and tourists may be attracted through developing some of the hotspots like Sonbeel, Asia’s second largest seasonal wetland, two sites related to the Sepoy Mutiny, Malegarh of Karimganj district and Mohanpur of Hailakandi district, capital of Kachari Kingdom Khaspur, Bhuvan hills and the Badarpur historical fort.

The speakers said there was enough scope to establish a food park using pineapples of Lakhipur subdivision of Cachar district bordering Manipur.

They said the Centre was now establishing food parks in various states for economic self-sufficiency of the local growers and young people. Similarly, they said Barak Valley has a huge demand for milk and the government may establish dairy-related schemes under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

They said the fisheries sector may be developed through marketing the fishes of Sonbeel and other water bodies properly. This will also help the local fishermen and unemployed youth. They strongly demanded the rejuvenation of two defunct paper mills of the state for economic benefits through paper industry.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the delay in constructing the Silchar Saurastra Mahasadak started by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, they alleged that only the Barak Valley part is incomplete and it is one of the major hindrances of economic development of the area. The convention was addressed by its president, Tapash Sankar Dutta, secretary Haridas Dutta, MLA Mihir Kanti Shome, among others.