Price hike, violence dampen Bihu spirit

Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, Jan 13 - High prices of commodities have been a feature of recent Magh Bihu celebrations. This year, the atmosphere has worsened in the aftermath of large-scale extremist violence followed by killings of persons that the police describe as armed militants.While a section of people are ready to celebrate the festival of plenty with aplomb, there are others who would prefer to keep it a low-key affair. In and around Guwahati there prevails apprehension among people about having a safe celebration, with many preferring to stay indoors.Tonight, in keeping with tradition, people of Assam would participate in feasts either at home or in a public space. However, in Guwahati as well as in some other cities of the State, community feasts are likely to be fewer in numbers than before. A shopkeeper near the place where police claimed to have killed an ULFA militant last night, and who preferred to remain anonymous, said, "A commoner like me would not mind spending the night with friends around a bonfire...but not this year".In the markets selling foodstuff, there have been ample grievances over the sudden price hike. From vegetables to fish and meat, costs were at an all time high. Retail prices of tomatoes, peas, capsicum, eggplants, have registered a sharp increase. However, it is the price of fish and meat that has left many buyers in the lurch. At some markets fish was selling around 20 to 25 per cent above their usual rates. Today a fish at the city's Kachari Market commanded a price of Rs 25,000. While there was a scarcity of chicken in some markets, the price of mutton hovered between Rs 280 and Rs 300 per kilo.The Bihu celebrations, however, have brought in a windfall for some, especially those dealing with traditional food items. In Guwahati, some Self Help Groups have been able to sell a wide variety of local delicacies, which in other times are not readily available. Tomorrow in the crack of dawn, some of those celebrating Magh Bihu would set fire to the Mejis and Bhelaghars, and offer prayers to the fire God. A yearning for peace in a land scarred by violence and bloodshed could be the common refrain in many prayers. source: assam tribune