Many regions in India indeed pose challenges for China, especially the Tawang area (South Tibet), where tensions have recently increased.
However, while India is busy plotting in the Tawang area, its own "backyard" is also catching fire.
In Assam, a northeastern state of India adjacent to China, the independence movement is becoming increasingly fierce.
1. The History of Assam**
China has fifty-six ethnic groups, one of which is the Dai people, and "Assam" is another name for them.
In 1228, the Ahom people (now the Dai people) from Yunnan, China, and northeastern Myanmar crossed the eastern mountains, ending the tribal wars in Assam and gaining control.
China's earliest records of Assam can be traced back to "The Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" compiled by Xuanzang, who referred to this area as the Kingdom of Kamarupa, praising its strength and prosperity.
However, prosperity eventually fades.
From the heyday of the Kingdom of Kamarupa to the rule of the Ahom people, Assam experienced long periods of chaos.
The Ahom people established the Ahom Kingdom, which became a thorn in the side of other monarchs as it grew stronger, leading to as many as 17 invasions, all of which were unsuccessful.
However, by the 1780s, the Ahom Kingdom gradually declined, and the Burmese took advantage of the situation to invade Assam, conducting large-scale massacres of the local Dai people and starting a 600-year rule.
In 1826, the British invaded Assam, forcing Burma to sign the Treaty of Yandabo, ceding Assam to Britain.
After colonization, the British assigned personnel to manage the area and considered planting tea for profit.
Assam tea became famous, and Assam milk tea originated from here.
In 1833, Assam was officially incorporated into British India.
After India gained independence in 1947, it regarded Assam as part of its territory and continuously suppressed the development of the local Dai people.
This explains why Assam lacks a sense of belonging to India.
Article 371 of the Indian Constitution grants Assam a certain degree of autonomy, allowing it to make its own laws and policies.
2. The Independence Movement in Assam**
During British colonization, the people of Assam suffered significant psychological trauma, which did not improve after becoming part of India but rather endured more oppression.
India might have marginalized the Dai people to erase their history of ruling Assam, making it seem that Assam always belonged to India.
With intermarriage with other tribes, the Dai people are now fewer than 600,000.
During British colonization, the British recruited Indians and Nepalis widely to Assam in pursuit of profit, making it a multi-ethnic gathering place.
Economic and political oppression became "the last straw that broke the camel's back," making Assamese people feel that only independence could protect their interests and preserve historical traditions.
Starting in 1947, Assam began its independence movement, which was relatively peaceful until 1979, employing methods like marches, strikes, and petitions to seek more autonomy.
However, the Indian government continuously suppressed these efforts, leading to unbearable conditions for the Assamese, who launched a large-scale anti-immigrant movement that lasted six years. This culminated in the 1983 Assam massacre, resulting in 3,000 deaths.
In 1985, India and Assam leaders signed the Assam Accord, but the independence movement did not cease; instead, it became more intense, turning to armed struggle.
In 2012, an ethnic massacre in Assam resulted in 80 deaths and over 400,000 displacements.
3. The Consequences of Assam's Independence**
If Assam becomes independent, other northeastern states might also demand independence, leading to uncontrollable chaos in northeastern India.
Assam's western part borders the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow corridor that is the only route connecting northeastern states of India.
Assam's northern part borders China's South Tibet region. In 1914, Britain incorporated 90,000 square kilometers of Chinese South Tibet into British India, and successive Chinese central governments have never recognized this "McMahon Line."
If Assam becomes independent, India will lose a convenient route into South Tibet, unable to interfere in South Tibet affairs.
Assam's special location borders several countries.
India might adopt some relaxed policies towards Assam to ease tensions, but China will not interfere in other countries' territorial issues.
If India continues to covet the South Tibet region, China will not sit idly by.
Especially as India has repeatedly tried to turn South Tibet into its "Arunachal Pradesh," China's tolerance is limited.
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