Assam Protests Against Massacre, Gogoi Govt in the Dock

NEW DELHI: The barbaric attacks of the militants on the tribal villagers on Tuesday which led to the killing of over 72 Adivasis called for numerous protests across the state on Wednesday.

While some organisations issued statements held rallies, others burnt effigies of the Chief Minister and the Songbijit faction of NDFB. A call for a state wide bandh on Friday has been issued by civil society activists.

The protests were held not merely against the brutality of the militants but also against the police firing in which three villagers died. The state government was the target of most protests in the state.

Amnesty International, while condemning the attack, in a statement , urged the authorities to step up security for civilians and bring the perpetrators to justice. The statement read “The attack is highly condemnable and shows contempt for human lives. It is the fundamental right of every person to live free from violence and discrimination”.

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) also strongly condemned the attack on adivasi villagers by NDFB(S) militants and termed it as a “dastardly act”. APCC President Anjan Dutta added that two delegations would visit the affected villages in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts.

Denunciation of the atrocity also came through communication from other groups.

Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) denounced the killing as "crimes against humanity as defined under Rome Statute of International Criminal Court", further calling upon the state government and the Centre to ensure registration of FIRs, thorough investigation into the incident.

While a joint statement condemning the killing of innocent people came from the Lakhimpur District Committee of the All Adivasi Women Association of Assam, Women in Governance, Assam, Nari Mukti Sangram Samiti, Assam and Pragati Nari Santha;the All Assam Tribal Sangha also strongly disapproved the militant’s actions.

Alongside the statements, scores of rallies were also carried out.

The state unit of CPI(M) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) took out rallies, with the KMSS members burning effigies of NDFB(S) leader Songbijit, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in protest against the violence in front of the State Secretariat.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) staged a mute demonstration covering their mouths in black strap at the district headquarters of the State in protest against the failure of the State Government to provide security to the life and property of the innocent people and also brutality perpetrated by the militant outfit.

One of the demonstrations was even held in the capital Delhi. Sanmilita Janagosthiya Aikya Mancha (SJAM) members staged a protest in front of the Assam Bhawan in New Delhi in protest against the heinous attacks on the Adivasis.

Furthermore, Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) has given a call for a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk Assam bandh on December 26 against the atrocities of the Bodo militants as well as the police firing.

Even the Adivasi National Convention Committee, an umbrella organisation of the Adivasi organisations of the State, has given a call for an indefinite “rail roko” agitation from 7 am tomorrow on the same issue.