Communal tension in Assam continues. The prolonged ethnic clashes between Bodos and Muslims in Bodoland not merely rocked the state but also had repercussions in distant Karnataka. On the eve of Id-uz-Zoha, there was further tension in Dhubri district in Assam. The authorities have imposed curfew for an indefinite period. The army staged a flag march following clashes. Several houses were torched. Three persons were injured. When curfew was relaxed for some time, there was renewal of violence and later it was re-imposed. Communal tension had flared up in Dhubri during Durga puja with miscreants stabbing a pandal decorator. The district’s Puja coordination committee had declared a shutdown protesting against police inactivity. The Assam government sought help from the army. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the situation was under control. But this was after curfew was clamped down and the army was deployed.
Gogoi’s smugness seems hard to understand. He and his party have performed a hat-trick at the polls and yet he seems incapable of bringing peace to Assam. The ULFA talks have not yet got off the mark. But the communal tension is even more disturbing as it sends ripples to other parts of the country. The Centre is half-hearted in doing something as it is fighting heavy odds in Delhi. The communal factor is serious in Assam which has a large Muslim population. No talks have been held yet with Bangladesh to stop illegal immigration of Muslims from across the border. These immigrants put a heavy pressure on land and employment opportunities which naturally antagonize the majority community. Peace is elusive in a sensitive part of India.