Massacre of Assamese villagers
Guwahati: Economic blockade imposed by various organisations including Krishak Mukti Sangram
Samity (KMSS) against the January 29 massacre of ten Assamese villagers by miscreants from
Arunachal Pradesh inside Behali Reserve Forest has blocked traffic along Tezpur (Assam)- Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) road via Bhalukpung (Assam) for the second straight day on Friday.
A 12-hour statewide bandh called by CPI-ML and other organizations in protest against the massacre affected normal life in various parts of north Assam on Friday.
Tension still continued in Behali and Borgang areas where various organisations were still protesting against the failure of Assam government to protect lives of its villagers against the constant threat from ‘land grabbers’ from Arunachal Pradesh. Tension was brewing for several months in the area over land disputes.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced that his government would recommend for a CBI probe into the massacre of ten villagers by suspected miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh.
Gogoi sought cooperation from his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Nabam Tuki for nabbing the culprits involved in the January 29 massacre.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, while expressing his deep sense of concern over the massacre, said, “It is really trying times for both the states. The pain is equal for all of us as the killings are highly condemnable.”
“Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been maintaining a cordial brotherly relation from times immemorial. I appeal my brothers and sisters of both the states to stay calm and maintain peace and tranquility in this hour of distress.
“In the meantime I am going to plead the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to institute an independent enquiry into the incidence.
“The situation needs to be handled with utmost care by both states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in order to ensure that the situation is not further deteriorated. We must also maintain the age-old friendly relations at any cost. “I have also written to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for taking adequate steps for ensuring safety and security of people of both the sides. Peace and tranquility has to be reinstated for welfare of all,” Tuki said.
The Union Home Ministry has asked both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to mount vigil and keep constant watch of the developments related to massacre of villagers on January 29 last as Maoist elements as well as militants belonging to National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Sangbijit faction) may try to fish in the troubled water.