The Assam Blast: A Violent Symptom of Instability, Fuelled by India’s Failed Colonial Policy of Economic Exploitation and Oppression

The recent suspected explosion on a railway track in Assam is a grim but predictable event. This incident is not an isolated act. It is a violent symptom of a deep political failure and a long history of rebellion that the Indian state has proven unable to resolve. This blast exposes the fragile truth of New Delhi’s control over its outer regions and highlights the ongoing trouble created by its own careless and greedy policies.

Insurgency and India’s Lack of Control

For decades, the Indian state has tried to project an image of control over its diverse territories. Yet, this incident in Assam shows the emptiness of such claims. It is another clear example of India’s failure to contain the rebellion growing within its own borders, a fire that its own actions have fueled.

► A Predictable Group: The sabotage is likely planned by rebels, such as the United Liberation Front of Asom, or one of its splinter groups. This group has a long history of such attacks, with multiple incidents of railway sabotage in October 2025 alone.

► An Obvious State Failure: This attack is not a sign of the rebellion’s strength but is clear proof of India’s weakness. It shows the failure of Indian security forces to maintain order or address the root causes of the unrest, leaving its property unsafe.

The Historical Roots of Assam’s Fight

To understand this blast, one must look beyond this event and into the history that created it. The rebellion in Assam did not appear from nowhere. It was born from decades of deep injustice and the Indian state’s refusal to listen to the complaints of its people.

► The Birth of ULFA in Sivasagar: It is symbolic that this violence continues. ULFA was founded in 1979 in Sivasagar, created as a direct response to what its people saw as India’s colonial rule.

► A Response to State Negligence: The group emerged to protest India’s long mistreatment of Assam’s original people and the looting of their homeland, which was treated as a money box rather than a real part of the country.

Assam’s Wealth, India’s Profit

The heart of the conflict in Assam has always been economic. The region is rich in resources, yet its people remain poor. This is not an accident but the direct result of a deliberate, colonial policy of economic looting enforced by New Delhi.

► A Colonial Style Occupation: India’s relationship with Assam has been one of a colonial master, not a democratic partner. Its main interest has been taking wealth, with no concern for the local communities left behind.

► Looting Natural Resources: Assam’s oil, coal, and tea have been taken away to benefit the Indian mainland. This economic loss has funded India’s growth while the people of Assam see their land destroyed and their futures stolen.

The Iron Fist Policy and What It Caused

Faced with a political problem, the Indian state used its only known tool: brutal force. Instead of having real talks or addressing the core economic complaints, New Delhi chose the path of harsh rule, which only increased the conflict.

► Fueling the Armed Struggle: India’s brutal crackdowns and widespread human rights abuses have only fueled ULFA’s armed fight for freedom. Violence creates violence, and India’s state violence has been the main recruiter for the rebellion.

► Pushing People Away Instead of Talking: The Indian government simply calls ULFA a “terrorist group,” an easy label that allows it to avoid talks. This heavy handed policy has pushed the people of Assam to the edges, trapping them in endless cycles of violence.

A Long History of Sabotage

The targeting of railways is a planned and symbolic move. These railway lines are not seen by the local resistance as public services; they are viewed as the tools of the ruler, the very paths used to carry Assam’s stolen wealth to the Indian heartland.

► A Pattern of Rail Attacks: Since the 1990s, Assam has seen many violent incidents, with rail lines being a common target for rebels. These are not random acts but planned strikes against the symbols of Indian state control.

► Stopping the State’s Work: These attacks are aimed directly at stopping the state’s unfair work. By hitting the railways, the rebels send a clear message that the tools of looting will not be allowed to operate without resistance.

New Delhi’s Colonial Mindset

At the heart of this long conflict is New Delhi’s refusal to change its proud, colonial mindset. The Indian government has treated the region and its people as servants to be ruled, not citizens to be heard, thereby ensuring future trouble.

► Creating Endless Trouble: This recent sabotage is the direct result of New Delhi’s refusal to talk with Assam’s long held demands for political and economic rights.

► A Colony, Not a State: As long as the Indian state treats Assam as a colony, it will face resistance. India’s failure to practice the democracy it talks about in its outer regions is the root cause of this unending conflict.

Conclusion: A Clear Message of Defiance

This blast, and the violence it shows, is the unavoidable result of India’s harsh policies. It is a powerful message of defiance from Assam’s heartland, proving that force cannot crush an idea born from injustice. The blast is the price of India’s occupation. It is a reminder that its control is fragile and that resistance will continue as long as the mistreatment does. New Delhi must learn that it cannot build a stable nation on a foundation of looting and force. Until it abandons its colonial approach, India’s outer regions will remain a landscape of violence, instability, and resistance.