GUWAHATI, May 14: The Union Home Ministry's decision to do away with the common coinage of the term Northeast for the seven northeastern states, has stirred local sentiments, evoking widespread criticism in the region.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), an important partner in the United Front Government at the Centre, has expressed its resentment over the decision. ``The move is aimed at creating rifts among the sister states and it is now certain that the Centre is afraid of the united strength of the northeastern states,'' alleged an AGP statement signed by Atul Bora, party general secretary and State PWD Minister.

The Union Home Ministry's decision to erase the phrase Northeast from all official communications, was reported by The Indian Express recently. The local newspapers immediately gave due coverage to the development, provoking the AGP and others to react.

Reports said the term Northeast has also been banned in Doordarshan and All India Radio. However, the Shillong AIR station broadcasted the Northeast regional bulletin on Tuesday, taking everyone by surprise.

In its strongly worded statement, the AGP said: ``The Union Home Ministry, which was partly responsible for coining the term, is today, trying to give an impression that the phrase has given rise to separatism and discontent in the region''.

Backing the AGP's stance, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhwala pointed out that the collective term Northeast had brought the people of the seven states together. ``Insurgency is not the biggest problem in the region.

Instead, it is the psychological barrier created by the Centre and the rest of the country which has alienated the people of the seven states here,'' he said. According to him, the coinage of the term made people realise that there were Indians beyond Bengal also.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.