Sh. Sushil Kumar Shinde,
Union Home Minister made a statement in the Rajya Sabha today in reply to the discussions on violence in
Assam:-
“Hon’ble Chairman, it is with a deep sense
of anguish, I speak about the unfortunate incidents of violence which took
place in Kokrajhar, Chirang,
Dhubri and Bongaigaon
Districts in Assam from 6th July 2012 and onwards.
As per report received from the Government of Assam there was
simmering tension between Bodo and non-Bodo communities of Bodoland
Territorial Area District (BTAD) on various socio-political issues. The background of the recent spate of
violence may be attributed to the incidents which took place mainly between 6th
July 2012 and 19th and 20th July 2012.
On July 6, 2012
Kamtapuri Liberation Organisation
terrorists fired indiscriminately at Muslimpara
Gaon under Gossaigaon
Police Station killing two persons belonging to Muslim community and injuring
three persons. One KLO terrorist was arrested in connection with the case
registered in this regard. Though this was communicated to the Muslim people of
the area, it was not believed by them and they strongly suspected the hands of Bodo miscreants in the incident.
On July 19, 2012 unknown
motorcycle borne miscreants fired indiscriminately in front of the residence of
Mahibul Haque Ratul and Md. Abu Siddique both
of Vill - Magurmari and
office-bearers of All Bodoland Muslim Student’s Union
(ABMSU), thereby injuring them seriously.
On July 20, 2012 at around 8.25 pm four Bodo
youth while coming from Bhatipara side towards Kokrajhar on two motorcycles at Jaipur
under Kokrajhar PS were attacked by some unidentified
Muslim youths with sharp weapons as a result of which they died on the spot.
The communal incidents started in full swing after this particular
incident of killing of four Bodo youths. Initially
the incidents were concentrated in Kokrajhar District
but later on due to Bandh call given by ABMSU and All
Assam Muslim Students Union (AAMSU) on July 23, 2012, the tension spread to the
adjoining districts of Dhubri and Chirang
as well.
Further
violence again took place in the districts of Kokrajhar
and Chirang on 5th and 6th
August 2012 resulting in the death of eight persons and injuries to two
persons.
No major incident of violence was reported between
24th July, 2012 to 4th August, 2012. Fresh
violence was reported on 5th and 6th August 2012 in Kokrajhar and Chirang Districts
resulting in death of eight persons and injuries to two persons. Four more
decomposed dead bodies were recovered on 7th August and 8th
August, 2012 in Kokrajhar District.
As on 08.8.2012, the violence has taken a toll of 77
lives with another 50 injured (including 14 police personnel), and seven missing,
affecting 244 villages, 47,936 families and 5,367 houses burnt as per
preliminary reports so far. The State Government had set up 340 relief camps
for affected families.
As soon as my Ministry came to know about the disturbances in Assam,
14 additional companies of CAPF were immediately rushed as against 10
demanded by the State. Additional Forces continued to get deployed on a daily
basis till the number of additional companies reached 65. Some of these
companies were airlifted. The Cabinet Secretary took a meeting and teams of
doctors were sent to the affected areas.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to
assist the District Administration, Kokrajhar in
relief operations. Flag March by Army and patrolling by Assam police and
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) is continuing in the affected areas.
Over 170 persons indulging in violence/arsons
etc. have been arrested so far by security forces. 309 cases have been
registered in connection with ethnic violence. Special Investigation Team (SIT)
with ADGP (CID) as over all in-charge has been constituted to investigate six
important cases.
Comprehensive security plan has been
chalked out to provide fool proof security to the affected population. 104
fixed police pickets have been proposed in vulnerable villages of which 99 have
been established. They have been given responsibility of ensuring security for
the affected villages.
A number of Civil and Police
officers have been deputed from other districts to assist the District
Administration in maintenance of law & order, relief operation and other
related issues. Senior Officers have also been deputed from the State Headquarters
to supervise the relief operation.
The State Government has been providing minimum basic
amenities to the relief camp inmates including Gratuitous Relief (GR), health
and sanitation. Food materials (Rice, Dal, Mustard
Oil and salt) including baby food, clothes for the adults (Lungi,
Saree, Gamcha) and
children’s dress , candle, soap, mosquito repellent coil, toothpaste, tarpouline, medical facilities, drinking water etc have
been provided to the relief camps/inmates.
Adequate ex-gratia grant and rehabilitation grant will be provided
to the persons affected by the violence.
Present status of relief and rehabilitation measures indicates that
during the peak time 340 relief camps were established with over 4,80,000
inmates. As on August 8, 2012, 239 relief camps with 3,41,930
(approx.) inmates are running. 101 relief camps have been closed and over 1,44,000 persons have returned to their villages.
Hon’ble Prime
Minister and my predecessor visited violence affected areas on 28th
July and 30th – 31st July, 2012 respectively. I am
closely monitoring the Security Situation in Assam.
Government strongly condemns the acts of depredation in Assam.
Leaders of both the communities have been requested to intervene in the matter
for restoration of normalcy in the area.
CBI will take over certain cases wherein conspiracy seems to be
involved for investigations. For this purpose, Additional Director, CBI and
Joint Secretary, North East, MHA, are deputed to Guwahati
today.
The Central Government is providing all possible assistance to the
Government of Assam to control the violence and rehabilitation of affected
families”.
In addition to the above statement, Home Minister also answered
certain issues raised by the Hon’ble Members in the
House.
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KSD/Samir/PT