Over four months have passed since violence broke out in the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) in July 2012. In this special series on Bodoland violance, we bring stories of violence, desperation, and also hope from this “tinderbox.” This series has been made possible with financial support from Indian Muslim Relief Committee (IMRC).
By Rafiqul Islam and M. Reyaz,
Kokrajhar/Guwahati: Over four months have passed since riot broke out in the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) on July 21, 2012. TCN visited Guwahati, the capital of Assam, Kokrajhar, headquarter of the BTAD, the Gosaigaon subdivision –referred by many as ‘tinderbox,’ one of the most affected region to see the ground realities.
Through lens TCN photographers captured the mood in ‘present imperfect’ region.
The mob not only burnt houses but looted whatever they found
(Howriapet village).
Villagers are slowly coming back to their ransacked houses.
Four months have passed since the riot broke. As villagers are
coming back, they are not sure how to rebuild their houses again.
Future bleak! With little government aid, there is very little left
for them to have another beginning.
With burnt houses and little or no rehabilitation packages,
although winter is setting in, over 25000 people are stuck in relief
camps.
Most of the relief camps are still over crowded.
These camps lack basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, etc.
In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it
goes on – Robert Frost. Life in this part of the world just crawls.
(Women busy in daily chores at Howriapet camp!)
Women often have to suffer the most. When riots broke villagers
walked for safer places, sometimes over 20 km or more.
Many women who ran for life for were pregnant at the time. These
three women (now in Matiapara camp) gave birth to their babies in
camp, without any medical aid.
A young girl in Howriapet standing outside her burned home holding a book that reads “destination.” Increasingly it is being felt that poverty and lack of education are the main causes that are holding the community back.
Innocent Joy! Children at Howriapet camp, oblivious of the misery
they are going through.
[Photographs: Rafiqul Islam, Caption: M. Reyaz]