Ethnic Violence – The Assam Story

Ethnic violence, a term often predominantly framed rhetorically by causes and issues related to ethnic hatred, is frequently connected to political violence. But the situation carries much graver consequences if ethnic violence is dismissed under the pretext of generic unrest, although ethnic violence accounts for severe right-wing extremism.

The same can be seen from the recent ethnic clashes in Assam. The violence between Bodo tribe people and immigrant Muslims has raised some indelible questions in the minds of the people. Why was no action taken by the government when the same districts had been under violence in August? The government failed to take adequate measures like deploying additional forces to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, and the same areas faced violent ethnic clashes once again. The government has claimed that members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were involved in the incident. The fact that four cadres of the NDFB were arrested in the area only highlights the issue. The government should take up the issue with the leadership of the NDFB strongly, as the NDFB is in a ceasefire with the government.

The clashes of such a large magnitude between ethnic groups had an official death toll of over 60 and rendered over a lakh homeless. With the situation brought under control due to strong action by the army, the government must institute a thorough probe to find out the persons responsible for instigating the miscreants to indulge in the killing of innocents, as cross-sections of people who were living peacefully in the area for years would not have indulged in such clashes without instigation.

The contrivance of ethnic violence has been the most potent weapon in the hands of militants for years now, and they are now moving into places earlier untouched by ethnic violence. The Assam incident should be an eye-opener for the government as well as Indian citizens. It is upon us to ensure communal harmony in testing times and thwart extremists to ensure India remains secular both in body and spirit.