“Assam had a glorious history and I am confident that the State will have a glorious future,” said S. K. Sinha as he took leave of the people on his ‘transfer’ to Srinagar Raj Bhavan from Guwahati.

The ever optimist that he is, the former vice chief of Indian army, said, “The whole country is passing through difficult times, so is Assam. It is only a passing phase.. Taking a long-term view, I am hopeful that India will emerge as a super powers and Assam a leading State”.

Lt Gen (Retd) Sinha said that the biggest change that he had witnessed during his s six-year stint as Assam Governor was the change in the attitude of people towards militancy. He said that the militants have been totally isolated from the people and in fact, “militancy has deteriorated into criminal activity.”
The Governor expressed the view that the credit for the change of the situation must go to the people who have chosen to defy the militants and reject their ideology. He said that the security forces have done a commendable job and made a significant contribution in restoring peace in the State.  As the Governor of Assam, he tried to ensure that the security forces through the Unified Command worked effectively in curbing militant groups and at the same time won over the hearts of the people through civic action.

“When I came to Assam in 1997, the Army was regarded as a colonial and occupational force by a large section of Assamese; there were demands to send for the Army back to the barracks. Today, the Army is looked upon as the people’s army and has become popular among the masses,” Gen Sinha observed.

His most satisfying moment as Assam Governor…? 

“The success of my humble effort to proje Srimanta Sankardeva, Lachit Barphukan and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi as the pride of India”.

The one lakh shallow tube wells scheme which brought economic benefits to a large number of people also brought him immense satisfaction..

He has no regret over sending his report on illegal immigration from Bangladesh to the President. “Yes, I know it was controversial decision. Many political parties and organisations criticised me. But I have no regrets, Sinha said.

“There may be some organisations who had opposed    my views on the issue. But the    vast majority of people of Assam are convinced of the legitimacy of my stand. In fact, in all humility,      I would like to say that it brought the issue to the national focus and the CPM Government in West Bengal has now begun to voice its concern on the issue,”  he pointed out.  He also said that he had  always identified himself with the aspirations of the people of     Assam and was overwhelmed by  the generous and positive response that he had received.

Lt Gen Sinha asserted that he had very cordial relations with   both the AGP and the Congress Governments in Assam “even though it is well known that on the issue of illegal migration my views are different from those of the Congress Government.”

What is your message to the Assamese youth?

“Pursuit of excellence should be the guiding star of the younger generation of Assam for  the all round development of the State. Only through hard work, the youth can improve things in all fields”.

On His New Assignment

“I am leaving Assam with a heavy heart. I would have loved to continue in Assam but the Government of India wants me in Kashmir and I have accepted the challenge and responsibility in the interests of the nation.”

Talking about the differences in militancy in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen Sinha said that though the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) received assistance from foreign agencies, the problem of insurgency in Kashmir is much more complex. Kashmir issue has international dimensions with a hostile neighbour using Kashmir for proxy war to settle scores with India. This is not the case in Assam.

He had long exposure to Jammu and Kashmir as an Army officer. “That experience will be of great help carrying out my  responsibilities as the Governor of the State”. He was associated with the State from the day the Indian Army had set foot in the State on October 27, 1947.  “I was involved in organising massive airlifting  from Delhi to Srinagar. There were about 800 sorties in 18 days and I was the only Indian operation staff officer in a skeleton headquarter manned entirely by British officers. I had to play a major role in planning and conduct of operations.

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