An year of devastation for Assam

As the year 2012 draws to a close, in retrospect, for Assam it was a year mired in bloodshed and nature’s-fury. Three waves of devastating floods, coupled with violent clashes between two communities, probably made 2012 a year that Assam would certainly like to fast erase from its memory.

Timeline

January- With anti-mega dam agitation , Assam government constitutes expert committee for feasibility studyof mega dams.

February- 2G scam affect: 7 telecom operators - Tata Teleservices, S-Tel and Idea Cellular, MTS, Loop Telecom, Videocon and Uninor – lose Assam and NE licences.

March- $81 million ADB loan for Assam’s infrastructure upgrade project. Assam tea production down by 50 per cent due to unfavourable weather condition.

April- Assam to have country’s first university on ‘cooperative management’.

May- Assam to create 2 lakh skilled manpower during 12th Plan. Assam hints to privatise power distribution.

June- Floods ravage Assam, 4 lakh displaced. Bangalore based Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals Pvt Ltd to set up a Rs 150 crore super-speciality hospital in Amingoan, near Guwahati. Assam inks agreement with Microsoft Corporation India Private Ltd (MCIPL) to accelerate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption in schools.

July- Clashes break in Bodo-heartland of Assam, 5 lakh displaced, 100 dead. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. to exit retail business.

August- Assam to update National Register of Citizens soon. Clashes in Bodoland continue and spread further.

September- Third wave of flood hit Assam, 2 lakh displaced, scores killed.

October- Peace accord signed with Dima militant outfit.

November- Violence resurfaces in Bodoland.

December- Three phase panchayat election dates declared. Asean-India car rally culminates in Guwahati. Assam eyes rail and road connectivity with Asean.