Bodo, Muslim clash escalating in Assam

The communal violence between Bodo tribals and migrant Muslims have so far claimed at least 33 lives in the last three days in the north Assam districts of Udalguri and Darrang. With administration failed to contain rioters, violence is spreading to fresh areas, like Baska. As many as 102 people have been injured in the violent clashes and have been admitted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Mangoldoi civil hospital and Kanaklata Civil Hospital in Tezpur.

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In total, according to official estimates, around 35 villages have been affected and 65,000 people rendered homeless. While in Darrang, Muslim mobs, many of them Bangladeshi settlers attacked tribal villages, in Udalgiri, Bodo tribals have indulged in arson and rioting. In Rowta, Dalgaon, Kharupetia, Bhakatpara, Udalguri, houses have been torched and looted and people are fleeing in hundreds as the violence continues unchecked. Over 60,000 people, both Bodos and Muslims, have taken shelter in 32 relief camps in Udalguri district alone.

Though shoot-at-sight orders have been issued and indefinite curfew has been clamped across Udalguri districts and parts of Darrang, there seems no sign of any let up in violence. Despite deployment of the Army and additional police and Central paramilitary forces, the situation in the trouble-torn Udalguri and Darrang districts is yet to be brought under control. Initial clashes broke out between Bodo tribals and migrant Muslims, members of other communities, including Assamese and Bengali Hindus, have been equally affected. At least eleven columns of the Army have spread out in addition to five companies of Central paramilitary forces and Assam Police battalions.

The Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi claimed yesterday that the situation was under control, but subsequent events proved that his information was not correct. A joint delegation of All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) visited some of the affected areas of the district and alleged that the Government failed to take adequate steps to deal with the situation.

Former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who paid a visit to the riot-hit areas, told that the Gogoi-led Congress government has failed to protect the lives and properties of the people. It was however, alleged that the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has fanned the communal clashes to which Tarun Gogoi said that his government would be forced to review its stand regarding the ceasefire-bound NDFB if its involvement in fomenting trouble was proved.