Japanese advent in the northeast — be it for a battle, or development, is always marred with regret.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to arrive on December 15 in Guwahati for the 14th India-Japan Summit.
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The situation in Guwahati and rest of northeast is marred with high-decibel protests over the BJP-led government’s forceful implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
While the BJP is adamant to pass the CAB, Shinzo Abe’s visit to Guwahati is definitely “mis-timed”.
Protesters have even gone violent to make New Delhi understand that they are not at all happy with BJP’s politics in the northeast.
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With the aim to put Prime Minister Modi to shame, there is every possibility that the protesters will plan “something big” during Shinzo Abe’s visit.
If the protesters succeed in their plans, it is going to be a big embarrassment for India, and especially for PM Modi.
The Assam government has chalked out a detailed plan to give Guwahati a bridal makeover.
But, the Guwahati beautification effort is being stained by the protesters at every step.
A large number of graffiti opposing the CAB were seen on Monday on the newly painted walls across Guwahati.
Shino Abe is probably not ready for such protests in Guwahati.
As the government cannot guard every inch of the newly painted walls across Guwahati, many more rhetoric are likely to be displayed as wall graffiti in the coming days.
Modi is planning to showcase the 12 projects funded by Japan (Overseas Development Assistance or ODA) in northeast during Shinzo Abe’s visit.
Two major projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) — a Rs 1,178.75-crore sewerage and a Rs 1,450-crore water supply project are being implemented in Guwahati.
Unfortunately, the JICA-funded Rs 1,450-crore water supply project in Guwahati is caught in a major scam.
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been accused of aiding and abetting the scam in the JICA-funded project, which involved a US-based consultant, Louis Berger.
At present, the CBI is investigating the case involving the black-listed US-company, Louis Berger.
While the Japanese government is yet to react on the ongoing protests in Assam, a last minute change of venue for the 14th India-Japan Summit cannot be ruled out.
The Japanese government would definitely not enjoy participating at the 14th India-Japan Summit amidst large-scale protests by the common people.
In fact, people of Japan has soft corner for the people of northeast, and have definitely not forgotten the deadliest battles of Imphal and Kohima.
Fought between March 8 and July 18, 1944, the Battles of Imphal and Kohima were the turning point of one of the most gruelling campaigns of the World War II.
The decisive Japanese defeat in north-east India later became the springboard for the British Army’s subsequent re-conquest of Burma.
The Japanese advent during the World War II is remembered with regret even today.
Hope, Shinzo Abe also doesn’t need to regret again for his maiden visit to the northeast.