The violence in Assam which started in Kokrajhar and has spread to neighbouring districts, claiming over 40 lives and forcing 1,70,000 people to flee their homes, is shocking. According to media reports, houses are being torched, train and bus services remain disrupted, and the death toll is increasing.
It is evident that the Tarun Gogoi government failed to take proactive action to curb the violence before it escalated because it needs the support of both the Bodos and Muslims to remain in office.
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The ethnic-communal violence in Assam is reflective of a total lack of governance. The editorial “Assam’s sorrow” (July 26) is right in saying that the administration failed to react after the initial signs of trouble. The riots seem to have been engineered by political agents who have no concern for the dead or displaced. Violence breeds violence and no stability can be achieved by eliminating a group of people. I hope sanity will prevail on all sections.
Shashi Prakash,Ghaziabad
Both the Centre and the Assam government are to blame equally for letting such a large-scale ethnic violence escalate. It is heart-wrenching to see the plight of people forced to take shelter in relief camps. Are the riots not a shame on India, a “superpower” aspirant?
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E. Sundaravathanan,Chennai
The clashes between Bodos and Muslims are a manifestation of frustration. Social tensions are bound to exist when one group feels its resources and livelihood have been taken away by another. However, the root cause of the animosity is underdevelopment of the region which requires immediate attention.
The disturbances in Assam are indicative of a deepening psychological divide in a society already divided by geographical differences. The State has become a fertile ground for separatism and extremism.
Amit Kumar,New Delhi
The northeast is known for peace and cooperation among people of diverse cultural and religious beliefs. The current situation has arisen due to the lack of political will to address the issues. The situation needs to be dealt with sensitively. Care should be taken to ensure that violence does not spread to neighbouring States.
Srinath Mahesh,Noida
A situation in which people are displaced and forced to become refugees in their own land is indeed unfortunate. Politicians must stop giving the issue communal overtones. And they should stop playing vote-bank politics if the crisis is to be resolved.
G. Venkatakuppuswamy,Bangalore
The riots are the result of the malafide intentions of politicians who instigate people over sensitive issues to run down the ruling party. As usual, it is the common man who suffers. My heart goes out to those who have had to leave their homes to save themselves from the designs of the vested interests.
Sugandh Chugh,New Delhi
It is not important at this stage to pinpoint the exact reason for the flare-up that has claimed over 40 lives, injured hundreds and displaced thousands. Refugee camps are full — a sad reflection on the Assam government’s poor handling of the situation. Violence needs to be firmly put down and normalcy restored. Those who have fled their homes should be able to return without fear.
D.B.N. Murthy,Bangalore
The violence in Assam is a bad augury as it will set a bad precedent for other communities who wish to bolster their strength in their regions. Policing can bring the violence to a halt but it is for people to make the world a peaceful place to live in.
E. Praveen Ebenezer Paul,Chennai
Students should fight not among themselves but against injustice, inequality and corruption. They are expected to work towards promoting human values. Bodos and Muslims should build mutual trust. They should understand that they need to coexist peacefully. Contentious issues can be resolved in a peaceful manner in a democracy.
K. Sudharshan Reddy,Anantapur