By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Representatives from different walks of life who gathered during the ‘Insaf Sab Ke Liye’, all India convention for immediate tabling of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill 2011 expressed serious concern at the ongoing crisis in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD).
Assam Resolution aiming to bring peace and normalcy in the area was also passed during the two day national seminar which took place in Allahabad. They also demanded rehabilitation of the riot affected people.
“The BTAD in Assam are witnessing day to day killings, kidnapping and extortion by militant groups like National Democratic Front of Bodoland/NDFB (surrendered)/NDFB (Songbijit group)/ NDFB (Ceasefire)/ Ex-Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) members which are in power in the Bodoland Autonomous Council and are part of the Congress-led government in Assam,” said Jamsher Ali, president of BTAD Citizen Rights Forum who represented the state in seminar.
The resolution said that the state and central governments in the name of furthering the peace process are giving general amnesty to the militants from time to time. This has encouraged them to involve themselves in terrorist activities. At the same time, the Sangh Parivar is encouraging Bodo militants and political groups to create a volatile situation for their own political gains.
“Six major incidents of ethnic violence have occurred in the area in which Muslims and Santhal Adivasis have been worst affected. The Bodo tribal people are also affected by this continuing violence. The main targets of the Bodo militants and political groups now are the scheduled caste Bengali Hindu and OBC Koch-Rajbanshi communities,” Ali added.
They also rued at the role of the government as district administration and the state government have not been able to arrange adequate security although we learn that two companies of the paramilitary forces have just been despatched.
The Insaf Sab Ke Liye, all India convention for immediate tabling of the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill 2011 demands that the state government take immediate steps to ensure the security of life and property of all sections of the people of the area.
“The government of Assam has placed conditions evicting the landless peoples residing on government land in the name of giving them rehabilitation grants of 50,000. This decision will create immense problems for the affected people of the area. We demand that they be immediately rehabilitated in their place of residence and are ensured right to livelihood,” he added.
They also demanded that the rehabilitation package order of Union Home Ministry government of India relating to Delhi Sikh riots, 1984 and Gujarat Violence, 2002 should be immediately implemented for the displaced persons of affected areas of Assam.