ASSAM has long been a victim of xenophobia leading to violent attacks on so-called foreigners. Bodoland had in the recent past been bloodied by clashes between the ethnic population and Muslims, some of them immigrants from Bangladesh. A repeat performance is now ravaging districts dominated by Bodos. The current spate of violence is partly linked to the parliamentary elections but is part of a big story. Innocent people have been killed including women and children. Muslims have been forced to leave their land and homes. Militants have been incited to violence by the apprehension that the parliamentary seat might be captured by the “alien” community. Politicians expectedly have been at their favourite game of politicking. Those who had the voting right could not be treated as illegal migrants and victimized. On the other hand, there is no denying that illegal immigration from Bangladesh is a sad feature of the Northeastern vote bank. It is a threat to security and the demographic quotient. For instance, it is now feared that there may be attacks from both sides of Assam.
Indian politicians have for a long time turned a blind eye on the problem to serve their own interest. Delhi is partly to be blamed for the ongoing Assam tragedy. The judicial probe ordered by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will not get to the bottom of the problem. Of course, the state government has to admit that it has failed to enforce law and order. Hints of potential trouble in Bodo dominated areas were on the radar a few days before violence erupted. The Assam government did not satisfactorily beef up security. The new government in Delhi when it takes office will have to wake up to the reality instead of indulging in political rhetoric.
