24th November 2007 Black Day

A shameless black day in the History of Assam. The Adivasis consisting almost 40% of the total population of Assam, has been selflessly contributing to the economy and the beauty of Assam. People of Assam feel proud to say that Assam is a land of Wild Life Sanctuaries and Tea Gardens. But 24 th November incident has put us to shame in the History of Assam’s Politics.

The Adivasi people who has contributed so much to Assam and of what the so called people of Assam are proud of, has been brutally tortured on the streets of Guwahati the capital city of Assam. Is it how we give respect to the people who has contributed so much to Assam?

It all began with a rally by All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) on protest against the demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) not being fulfilled since 1958. In 1958 with the help of Adivasi Council, Assam under the Leadership of Late Mr. Francis Hans and Late Mr. Sanga, the demand for ST status to the Adivasis has started. More than 5000 Adivasi from almost all the nock and corner of Assam has participated in this rally including women and children.

Later we all know what had happened. The Photos in the Local and National New Papers and the Video Footage in the Local and National News Channel are the raw evidence of the fact. We don’t know what or who triggered this unfortunate incident. But it is clear from the Video Footage shown by the News Channels that the innocent Adivasi people were tortured brutally on the streets of capital city Guwahati. Not only that even the women and children were not spared.

VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS:

The incident clearly proves the violation of Human Rights. The people living in the city like Guwahati are so inhuman that they start behaving like animals.

The women and children were bitten mercilessly.

An injured woman was dragged like goats and pigs so as to be slaughtered.

A young Adivasi woman was stripped and assaulted on the streets of Guwahati.

Not only that an injured Adivasi women was even raped by three people in the Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMC).

How could the people of Guwahati see such brutality? Where was the Administration at that moment? No where in this civil society Human Beings are treated in such a way. People like them don’t deserve to live in this Civil Society.

Today the people of Guwahati have put us to shame. The whole world is looking at us. If such brutal incident could happen in the city like Guwahati then God knows what will be the Law and Order situation at the small towns.

VIOLATION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS:

The incident is also a violation of Fundamental Rights by the Constitution of India. The Adivasi people were stopped from exercising their Fundamental Rights.

1) Right to Freedom of Expression: They were stopped to express their feelings against the ruling Govt. It is the Right of the people to take out a rally and express their grievances against the Govt.

2) Right against Exploitation: Adivasi people were exploited since several years. The Tarun Gogoi led Govt. once addressing a meeting of Adivasis had promised to give ST status to the Adivasis within 15 days, but it is very unfortunate for the Adivasis that those 15 days have not arrived yet.

WHERE IS THE ADMINISTRATION?

The Administration, the Law and Order situation at Guwahati has failed to prove its efficiency. The Administration could have stopped this unfortunate incident from happening. There is no doubt that this is a wilful negligence of the Govt. as well as the Administration.

It is very sad to know that the Administration along with the Govt. is trying to hide the truth. Even after torturing and killing the innocent Adivasi people their thirst for blood has not been fulfilled.

The injured who were admitted in the GMC hospital were ill treated by the police and the hospital Administration.

A brutal and inhuman case of raping an injured Adivasi girl at the hospital has come forward.

Some cases of hiding the dead bodies have come forward.

It is also found from the unofficial sources that more than 40 Adivasis are missing/dead. It is pity for us to see many dead bodies lying in the streets of Guwahati but the Govt. of Assam has declared only two dead and over 200 critically injured.

SUPPORT FROM OTHER STATE:

We whole heartedly welcome the emotional and moral support of the Ex Chief Minister of Jharkhand Mr. Babulal Marandi; Ex Central Minister of Coal Mr. Shibu Soren and Ex Chief Minister of Jharkhand Mr. Arjun Munda. And also appreciate the initiative taken by them to help the injured at the hospital and render Political support to the Adivasis at this adverse time.

We also welcome the initiatives of the different States like Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh to come forward and condemn this incident of brutal torture and mass killing of the innocent people who were on a peaceful rally exercising their Fundamental Rights.

SUPPORT FROM OTHER AGENCIES:

We are also thankful to the agencies like Action Aid, CASA, DBI, World Vision and some Church based organisations for helping the injured people at GMC Hospital, Guwahati and also appeal to all other Human Right Agencies to come forward and condemn this brutal incident and make it an International Issue.

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