Often enough in much of Assam, all that it takes to set alight the sub-surface nodes of volatility is a mere spark. Now, an ethnic-communal spectre looms over the western parts of the State once again. Confronting each other are violent elements among the Bodos and Muslims. Gang violence that started in Kokrajhar spread to more districts including Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon, claiming some 40 lives. The rioting and torching has triggered an exodus. Over 1,70,000 people belonging to both the affected communities, as well as others, in the four districts have taken shelter in relief camps. The trigger was the firing on two student leaders of the All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union and the All Assam Minority Students’ Union in Kokrajhar. Thereupon, four former Bodo Liberation Tigers cadres were killed; that led to further attacks and counter-attacks. With the Bodos’ nationalistic assertion forming the historical backdrop to the tensions, aggressive elements from the two communities have clashed sporadically. The confrontation has been labelled ‘ethnic,’ but economic and even educational anxieties are as much at work as the desire to preserve socio-cultural and ethnic identities. Insecurities relating to land, forest rights and a shrinking job market have created a combustible mix.
The immediate task is to contain the violence and tackle the serious humanitarian crisis. Those who have had to abandon home and hearth should be enabled to return. Transport links with the rest of the country need to be restored; thousands of passengers remain stranded in railway and bus stations. Talks between the adversary organisations should be quickly facilitated. The administration failed to react quickly after the first signs of trouble on July 19. Considering that there was a build-up of tensions over the past few months, vulnerable areas ought to have been identified and adequate forces deployed. It has been pointed out that in many of the places overrun by violence, the security forces were not visible at all. The deployment of the Army seems to have come too late in the day. The mapping of stress-spots on the basis of adequate intelligence inputs should be a priority at least from now. The long-term goal, obviously, is to re-envision Assam as a place where ascriptive identities do not disrupt civic relationships. The state needs to keep working on achieving the right balance of development activity. The key to this will be restoration of mutual trust. This should be based primarily on systematic measures to address fears over loss of ownership and right to land, and concerns over denial of access to resources, development, and means of livelihood.
Keywords: Assam ethnic violence, violent elements, Bodos, Muslims, gang violence, All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union, All Assam Minority Students’ Union, Kokrajhar violence
All round development of Assam as well as North Eastern states can deliver the real heeling touch to the affected people in ethnic violence stricken State, which issue has not been addressed by the Central / State Government.
The clash of two ethinic groups shows political social and economical
problems there.Unfortunatly the state government cuold not stop it
quiakly.It is man made disaster.It is necessary to make certain policy
to curb it.
The editor is trying to hide the bangladeshi influx to NE region of India. the demography of Assam has changed abruptly and worse is centre as well as state government don't want say it.
A toothless and very bland editorial. Does not even dare to mention the roots of this conflict, not to say actions needed to fix them.
There is no difference in this massacre of Asam and Gujrat riot which
held in 2002. It fully shows the failureness of Congress Government to
stop migration of Bangladeshi Muslim. The government has used for
making vote bank without evaluation of the National Security.
This massacre could result to another Kasmir where Hindus have
sustained to leave their houses and hearth. It is very serious issue .
We can't give the fundamental right to live on the worth of our people
life and national security.
This is the time to raise the our voice in spite of just watching
concerning to life of Hindus and National Security.
>>Why are the illegal immigrants being called Muslims and not Bangladeshis ?
from: Vivek Shah
Posted on: Jul 26, 2012 at 10:14 IST <<
I like this comment... at least, this time someone understand what is what..
I would, like people to sign petition and send it to Supreme Court, demanding Military / Presidential rule in Assam in order to protect cultural, Tradition and INNOCENT LIVES -- on ground of of Fundamental right "Right to Live" which is clearly mention even in School grades.
Right to Freedom : Article 21. Protection of life and personal liberty.
This piece appears to completely ignore the issue of illegal migration as so
many others have pointed out. One wonders if this is due to the excruciatingly nauseous
efforts of the paper to brown nose the government or a bigger, more ominous issue where
the media is being controlled by outside influences a la Rupert Murdoch?!
I have lived in Assam for 8 years in the eighties. What is being missed is the contribution of the outsiders in Tea plantation,agriculture and other related activities. The Assamese who reside in areas of lower Assam and Upper Assam are apathetic to the woes of the Bodos and Bengali population who occupy the areas adjoining Bhutan and Bangladesh. This is also true of the political class at the helm of affairs. The problems are mainly economic with small tensions snow balling into major fracas like the one under reference. Economic development with focussed attention is the only answer to solve the problems of the area. The rest of India also should understand the North East better and not treat is as an alien territory. The situation has improved since the eighties but lot more needs to be done fast. Perhaps the recent events will spur the desired time bound action plan.
The opinion piece is absolutely shallow for an opinion of any kind.
Thank God the reader comments make sense.
This Sheikh Hasina was prime minister of bangladesh for 1996 to 2001
but if you would go into the facts..Census of Bangladesh said nearly 1
crore people from their country is missing in the census between 1991
and 2001.
Where all this people went?
no one is India-friendly ...all look for their country first ...which
India should d0,
I know this migrants are poor..no work in their country..but its not
our responsibility to accommodate those given in our land still 30-40%
people are poor.
We are not a developed country like USA where There are many Hispanic
people entering US. But USA can accommodate them.
We should stop this vote bank Politics.
we already know that many ISI agents are coming through that border.
All done is done.
if This govt. can know take some serious steps which show results then
we can forget what happen in the past.
But govt. has to show something.
In the end Country comes first.
Totally disagree with your biased view. WE need to send all Bangladeshis out. But corrupt congress is not going to bell the cat. This kind of opinion not expected from The Hindu atleast.
If you cannot call a spade a spade please do not strangulate the spirit of true journalism at least,you are no different from other media houses who have deliberately skipped the issue. Now the media is not blaming the government for what is going on in Assam, had the refugees not been muslims they would have blown the issue out of proportion ,
The ongoing violence in the Bodoland area, however, not only reiterates the governance deficit in Assam but also points to the dangerous game of vote-bank politics that the Congress has been playing for decades across the country. At the crux of this week's riots is the unchecked migration of Bengali-Muslim workers from Bangladesh who now form a sizeable minority in the region (and are a captive vote-bank for the Congress). This has caused much displeasure within the Bodo community that does not appreciate having to share scarce resources and opportunities with the aliens. Hostilities between the two communities have been simmering for decades now, but the Government, both in Assam and at the Centre, did nothing to contain the dangerous situation. Innocent people are now paying for the Congress’s criminal neglect.
What the author does not present is projected almost right through the
comments section- the migration of Bangladeshis into Indian
Mainland. All the four estates of our democracy must rise beyond their
skewed interpretations of secularism and raise their voices in unison
against it.
I condemn The Hindu's stand on the issue. As always, The Hindu is perpetrating the ideology which favours a religious minority. I call upon The Hindu to highlight the facts- in this case, migration of Bangladeshi Muslims who constitute a strong vote bank - are playing with the poor tribal. Readers would love to know the realities, not the perversions.
Virtually every commenter seems to have used this editorial as an excuse to vent his/her xenophobia. History is replete with occasions when nations with festering domestic issues have used outsiders as scapegoats. The simplistic rhetoric of migration displays ignorance of the complex history of the Indian subcontinent as well as of the social and economic factors underlying immigration of any kind. And it is not as if the rest of India is paragon of peace -- violence of every ilk has become the order of the day. It is just that the actors change with location. The focus in this latest instance of mayhem should be on identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators (instigators as well as responders) irrespective of their ethnicity or religious background. In the long term, commenters here would be advised to expend their energies on addressing the nation's growing intolerance and predisposition to violence.
This is a very balanced Editorial. It is unfair to say that increase in the Muslim population has some thing to do with Bangladeshi Migrants. When Union Home Secretary denied the reports of Bangladeshi involvement in the ongoing unrest...how can some one blame Muslims for this horrific unrest. This violence is per-planned to defame the Muslim community and fuel ethnic violence in the state for their political benefits.
This is our problem. we always wake up after the earthquake not before that.
Once administration is knowing about the seriousness of the area of violence, why can't it formulate a proper way to counter it?
This is a failure of local as well as state administration which amplify the violence situation.
Of course we should not forget the higher rate of migration of the muslims from the Bangladesh, for the cheap advantage (vote bank) of our political party.
Its a wonderful article depicting the realities. Well balanced and unbiased. All steps must be taken to stop the violence
A very correct observation, that is why the Hindu is a pretigious news-paper.
"The long-term goal, obviously, is to re-envision Assam as a place where ascriptive identities do not disrupt civic relationships. The state needs to keep working on achieving the right balance of development activity."
I totally agree. The 2003 Bodo accord's primary objective was self governance by the Bodoland territorial Council. It has been over 9 year since then. If that wasn't the harbinger of change, I am not sure what else could. I wouldn't be surprised, I were to read this editorial in 2022, 10 years from now.
i dont quite find the Article worth reading.nothing informative has been provided + the talks about development in the last para. is pointless unless you are sure about whether to allow migrants or not
It is the problem India is facing since the time of Independence.The tresspassing and the territorial acquisition is happening all along the border from the East,West and the North.It would on the part of the Government to oblige their responsibility and restore the harmony.
The psedo-seculars of our country and the gainers of votebank politics on religious basis are doing a great damage to the country`s demographic change by this huge illegal migrants into Assam.
Assam is facing riots and ethnic clashes almost always with no stoppage
or intervention by Government. politicians were passive and is not
taking action.Bodos and muslims are behind this riots and killigs
continue in the district like Kokrajhar where casualities are maximum.
It is high times government should interfere and bring the rioting
community to the negotiating table and should not allow the situation
to deteriorate as the people are the ultimate sufferers. If state is
doing nothing, Centre should rush to the state and start rehabilitation
process without any delay.
Thanks for letting us know Mr JK Dutt, India under congress will loose it's identity in the coming years if we the people dont voice our anger.
And this article indeed was a farce.
The entire north eastern region has been left out from the mainstream
only for political reasons but this region is critical from its rich
resources and the country's foreign policy perspective.Ethnic clashes
are a result of neglect on part of our political masters. India's
trade relations with South East Asian countries reinforces the
importance of the region and throws up the opportunities to develop
this region as a trading hub.
Every issue(cultural,ethnic,economic,political,border) has to be
thought through by including various stakeholders for region's
progress.
This is not a question of majority or minority religious groups here,instead it is purely one of illegal immigrants. If it was Bihari or Oriya Hindus instead of the Bangladeshi Muslims in this case, would the result be any different? Absolutely not! When the population of an outsider group having a different ethnicity, language or religion begins to rise seemingly without control, it is natural for the locals to feel insecure. On the other hand, it would not be correct to put all the blame on the immigrants either, as the immigration of people is always a natural outcome when they feel deprived of space or resources in their homeland. This has been the reality throughout history. The population density of Bangladesh is notoriously high, and is likely to become even more worse in the future. That said, the issue of repatriation of the immigrants need to be taken up with Bangladesh on an urgent basis now, as Sheikh Hasina government is relatively India-friendly.
the ethnic voilence in assam is just the cost which the assamese are paying due to central govt. approach of making a MORE friendly relationship with bengladesh. anyone can observe that how much it is easy to cross the international border for bengladeshis to come inside india. our border gaurding forces can do nothing due to order of no fire at all on bengladesh border. if any fire will take place ,that sordier will be punished and will face illogical inquiry for violating LAWFUL ORDER.
Allegedly, after 2004, a 600 km section of border fencing work
with Bangladesh was stopped. Can the government of the day
explain, why this is the case.
Wouldn't the government try to figure out how the illegal Muslim
population is increasing at a much higher rate than the birth
rate ?
When will the governments of the day learn to put long term
national security over short term electoral needs ?
It is criminal deed to allow illegals to live in India, because
it reduces the amount of resources available for Indian
nationals, thus directly affecting their future livelihood.
If till date illegal immigrations have taken place and since it has come of notice the administration should come to action especially when such immigrations have potential to bring turmoil and riots like the one in kokrajhar and adjoining areas. The actions of administration does not mean throwing or detaining the people have have illegally entered the porous borders. These immigrants are actually the destitute and suffering people and out of their strive to survive have entered the weak borders.The immigrations although illegal is because of mistake of government and therefore does not invite punishment of migrants. Hence forth those who have settled in North east and accepted Citizenship should be respectfully absorbed and the problems of both majority and minority communities be attended mercifully and politically. The borders should be completely sealed and future instance of illegal immigration be dealt hardly.
The issue is not so much about infiltration or no-infiltration from
across the border, it is more to do with the continuance of the
politics of hatred,systemetic orchestrated mindless violence time to
time among the different groups, like the Karbis & Dimasas,Garos and
Rabhas, Muslims & Hindus, Bodos or Muslims or Christians or Adivasis,
Assamese & Bengalis etc. If infiltration is really a big problem today
as has been made to believe by certain political parties,student
organisations like AASU, ABSU or ex-militant organisation like BLT &
SULFA as well as by the media and intelligentsia,then why the process
of identification and deportation of illegal migrants(if any)! being
deliberately delayed & disturbed by these organisations like AASU &
ABSU etc. on certain filmsy grounds since 1984.Even voter identity
cards are not being allowed to issue by these organistions till yet!If
the same would have been allowed then itself how they would have
survived is the real issue today.
I totally disagree with the Editorial that "...ascriptive identities ... disrupt civic relationships". What is in reality a problem with aliens (illegal immigrants), is now sought to be made out into a subjective, perceptive issue, which is what is the meaning of the phrase "ascriptive identities". This is simply not acceptable. Bangladeshis must be sent back to Bangladesh, period.
It is an established fact that the porous Bangladesh border is used by endless number of terror suspects to escape the country after committing the terror acts in India. (Abu Jundal - recent Interrogations)
It is also an established fact that the porous border is used by illegal immigrants from Bangaladesh creating all sorts of trouble in India. (Supreme Court verdict to take the actions against illegal immigrants, and well known fact otherwise).
Govt of India therefore, has all the reasons in the world to seal the border like the Indo-Pak border. Why doesn't it do it???
The problem of villages lying right at the border must be tackled by shifting back those villages, else, we can keep witness terror incidents and incidents like these in Assam and very soon it would be a national crisis and things would be out of hands by then.
This is worse exploitation by the congress centre and state govts than the british rule. At least they did it openly.
Why are the illegal immigrants being called muslims and not bangladeshis ?
Why you people never talk about illegal Bangladeshi migration. You must call a spade a spade. For whom you are writign this editorial. Now almost all Indians are understanding the Assam problem. But you people are whitewashing the matter. Please give us permanent solution so that our generation can live in peace. Don't linger the matter.
It is known to everyone that Unless the free flow of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh stops there will be recurrence of such incidents. I wonder why our Political parties do not want to talk openly about this and initiate action to seal the nations borders.
This is the result of infiltration of Bangla Deshi Muslims from 50 years. India government ignored(supported) this infiltration for political reason. If same trend of infiltration continues, entire North East has to face this type of violence in future.
The problem in Assam is nothing new. It has been going on since Independence and the principal reason is our encouraging illegal infiltration from erstwhile East Pakistan - now Bangladesh - for building vote banks. These infiltrators are allowed to seize land belonging to the locals and settle down with all objections being overruled by our politicians. An early case is worth recounting. My late father began his career during the British days as an officer of the Assam Civil Service and after Independence was among the first lot to be promoted to IAS. As Deputy Commissioner (present day's terminology being Collector/District Magistrate) of a border district he took a tough line in tackling such infiltration, smuggling, trans border crime and so on. As a result he fell foul of a political nexus involved in these activities and was "fixed" in the bargain, virtually ending his career. The head of this nexus was a senior politician of the state who ultimately became India's President!
What is unfolding in Assam is a repeat of the Palestine story. The roles of the Palestinians and the Jews have been taken by the indigenous people (Bodo, Rabha, Assamese caste Hindu, Ahom etc.) and Bangladeshis respectively. Successive govts at the state and the center have encouraged illegal immigration from Bangladesh as they formed their vote banks. Initally they used to vote for the ruling party but wherever they have become the majority, they vote for their own party now.
The local people have been pushed out of their homes and farmlands through intimidation, 'organised riots' like the one that unfolded. It would be wrong to paint this in communal lines. The affected include all indegenous people - Assamese Muslims, Christian tribes, Vaishanav Hindus, Assamese Sikhs (in Nagaon).
If legal provisions are not put in place to protect the indegenous people, it will onyl be a matter of time when India will have to deal with another refugee problem on the scale of the one seen in 1947
Why are the ascriptive identities remembered now? What is the logic of the editorial, 2 Muslims were shot at 4 bodos were lynched, is the difference not so obvious! Of course it would have been obvious, had it been the other way round! Besides who would speak of the failure of successive governments to oust the immigrants, be they of any religion. The hindu must be commended for writing an edit that would be repeated everytime there is a conflagration in Assam, the elephant yet would remain less than visible. And please dont ever talk of tribal rights. They are remembered only whem the majority is involved. Grand!
Thanks for your editorial. I like and agree with the sentence "The long-term goal, obviously, is to re-envision Assam as a place where ascriptive identities do not disrupt civic relationships." In a world where labelling identities based on stereotypes and generalisation stands behind much of group violence, the most important thing is to help others and ourselves to understand the multifarious issues, factors and dimensions behind ascribed fixed identities, and the same behind any group violence.
Unchecked illegal migration from Bangladesh led to this situation. Successive govts played along allowing the illegal migrants get 'legal' status by providing them ration card etc. And then we wonder why Hindu right wing had risen in the country! Congress govt at the center and state not only failed in their duties but they knowingly abetted the situation for vote bank politics, consequences were the rise of rebel movements like Bodoland and riots such as these.
The article is a farce .. its not the Bodos’ nationalistic assertion forming the historical backdrop to the tensions but unabated and uncontrolled illegal immigration of Bangladeshi nationals is the cause ... report facts
As usual a totally useless & politically correct. Without into the brutal demographic alteration of life for bodos and various other tribal communities in ASSAM. Your paper often sheds copious tears calling for the plight of tribals and even indirectly justifies leftist violece based on that. In this case, how come you are totaly silent and call for expulsion of the muslims back to Bangladesh. Do you have even done a visit or study of assam as to how when the muslim population reaches a critical mass even friday fatwas are enforced, how tribal land is usurped. How due to vote bank politics the congress governmetn does nothing... I have no hope. This is not the Hindu of yesteryears...
In our country the Inteligence Wing in Police force often misused by politicians. Their duty often contained to taking secret surveys about the mood of the public and chances of the ruling front during election. If they are effectively trained used for the genuine purpose, the state administration can foresee the riot and effectively control it to an extent. After every riot, terrorist attack, explotions and like wise situations, our central and state governments wake up and start taking actions, offer compensation and making arrest instead of foresee and curb them. Our governments see human life trivial. Only through a radical change in our electoral system, our rulers can be made more responsible to the general public.
The eastern parts of India there are always some ethnic clashes,.. constantly happening disrupting peace. Those are the wonderful most serene delta regions and India cares ONLY abouts it IT hubs, call centers and cities and if we are passive towards all the problems that fellow Indians have in these regions we will loose these fertile lands. China and bangladesh are having more fun because of these internal disruptions in India. We must create more national institutions or move some companies to these regions. Would that work...I dont now..I feel like we wont care if we dont have anything important there.
now media is not branding anyone communal...not sponsor progrom or not to held responsible the state or union government for worst riots of this decade. Not to say editor intentionally skipped the root cause of the problem laid down by indira gandhi and subsequent congress government. standard of hindu going down worse to worst. why? what political or personal pupose it will serve!!
waav, what an editorial. no talk about stopping illegal immigration of bangladeshis and sending back the illegal immigrants
Illegal immigration from Bangladesh on a vast scale has created the problem. For many decades, the people in Assam have been rightly agitated over this issue but the Govt. has failed to curb the menace. The Asom Gana Parishad was in the forefront of such agitations in the past.Illegal immigrantion needs to be curbed and the people who have entered the country illegally need to be pushed back.
I am tempting to equate Assam administration's response to that of Gujarat-2002. Same governments persisted, then & now, at center and state. Insensible political motives drive such events.
It is a reality that Assam-Bangladesh border is highly porous & government historically has failed to seal it. So, ethnic violence is something which is not new for Assam. 1983 Nellie massacre is burning example.
Unless political parties stop playing vote bank politics, things will only get worse.
I think that editor has made a serious error in judgement by not mentioning the effect of change in demographics over the years. Muslim population has risen at alarming rate in the area and that is primarily due to illegal immigration from Bangladesh. So the violence is Prima-facie a consequence of dirty Vote bank politics which allowed foreigners to get settle in this area illegally
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