2012 ASSAM RIOTS, INDIA

Vicky Nanjappa
A fact finding commission of leading Muslim organisations headed by the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat has said that it was a clear failure on part of the Bodoland Territorial Council and the Assam government in anticipation and control of the situation that has forced over 3 lakh people, most of whom are Muslims, to live in around 300 refugee camps.

According to the commission, sections of the media and the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ilk are trying to turn this carnage into an issue of illegal immigrants, which is not correct or fair.
A delegation of representatives of some leading Indian Muslim organisations visited Assam during July 31- August 3, 2012 to study and assess the situation in the BTC and adjoining areas where over 50 people have been killed and over a hundred are reported missing as a result of alleged ethnic cleansing aimed at uprooting Muslims from BTC areas.


The commission's recommendations:

Adequate compensation to all affected, for lost lives, injuries and damage to houses to enable the victims to rebuild their homes and lives;

Quick rehabilitation of all displaced people by arranging their speedy return to their original places. Any delay will only mean that the displaced will never be able to/allowed to return to their homes and lands. It may be recalled that victims of similar previous violence, for example in 1994, are still languishing in refugee camps while their lands and homes were usurped by Bodos.
It is the responsibility of the state government to ensure security for the displaced. It should also provide more police stations and forces in the BTC areas.
Illegal arms in the hands of private individuals and gangs are a big problem in BTC areas. Meticulous mopping by the army and security forces of the homes and other installations, offices and facilities in the BTC areas should be conducted at the earliest in order to seize all illegal arms.

The state government should institute a high-level judicial enquiry to find the causes of the violence