Kokrajhar, March 26: Assam’s blood-smeared Bodo heartland had little respite from fratricidal violence but militant leader Ranjan Daimary today raised hopes of a return to sanity by reciprocating Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary’s offer to end the fighting through talks.
Two more persons were shot in Baksa district, increasing the toll in the violence involving Daimary’s National Democratic Front of Boroland and Mohilary’s supporters to 19 in less than a month.
The NDFB is in a ceasefire and the Bodo Liberation Tigers, which Mohilary led before his metamorphosis into an administrator, has long been disbanded. However, their rivalry not only continues but also flares up at frequent intervals.
Baksa superintendent of police P. Baruah said gunmen shot dead two youths, Jiten Boro and Gala Boro, at Silakuti Part I and Goybari villages last night. “The spate of killings is the result of friction between the NDFB and ex-BLT members. Most of those killed so far are family members, relatives or supporters of either group. This is a meaningless rivalry,” he added.
The police officer admitted that the administration had no clue on how to stop the killings. “During the day, everything is normal with everyone going about their tasks as usual. You will see children going to school and farmers working in the fields. At night, nobody knows who is going to be targeted next, or where or when. We have beefed up security, but it is impossible for us to give protection to all. The groups involved in this have to restrain themselves.”
On Saturday, businessman Prahlad Brahma was shot dead at his residence in Baganpara town of Baksa district. A member of the Bodo People’s Front’s youth wing — Mohilary’s party and the Congress’s partner in government — was gunned down at Japadom the next day. Gunmen struck again 24 hours later, killing the head teacher of Pumuafwthar ME School, Hareswar Swargiary, at his Pub Athiabari residence.
“These days, one does not even trust his brother, forget about others. People dare not open their doors when someone knocks at night,” D. Talukdar, a resident of Borbori, said.
Clashes between NDFB militants, who are supposed to be confined to their designated camps, and former members of the Bodoland Liberation Tigers have occurred in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, too.
Daimary said in an email interview with The Telegraph that he appreciated Mohilary’s initiative to end the bloodshed and would gladly sit for talks. “I am really saddened and disturbed by the suffocating situation. So many lives have been lost for no reason at all. It is good that Hagrama wants to talk to resolve the differences and the misunderstanding that has arisen among us.”
Mohilary recently said he was ready to bury the traditional enmity between his erstwhile armed group and the NDFB for the sake of the Bodo community. “I really want to talk to him (Ranjan Daimary) for peace in Bodoland. I believe we can sort out the misunderstanding if we sit and talk. It is very important that we sort out our differences and work for the community.”
Two more persons were shot in Baksa district, increasing the toll in the violence involving Daimary’s National Democratic Front of Boroland and Mohilary’s supporters to 19 in less than a month.
The NDFB is in a ceasefire and the Bodo Liberation Tigers, which Mohilary led before his metamorphosis into an administrator, has long been disbanded. However, their rivalry not only continues but also flares up at frequent intervals.
Baksa superintendent of police P. Baruah said gunmen shot dead two youths, Jiten Boro and Gala Boro, at Silakuti Part I and Goybari villages last night. “The spate of killings is the result of friction between the NDFB and ex-BLT members. Most of those killed so far are family members, relatives or supporters of either group. This is a meaningless rivalry,” he added.
The police officer admitted that the administration had no clue on how to stop the killings. “During the day, everything is normal with everyone going about their tasks as usual. You will see children going to school and farmers working in the fields. At night, nobody knows who is going to be targeted next, or where or when. We have beefed up security, but it is impossible for us to give protection to all. The groups involved in this have to restrain themselves.”
On Saturday, businessman Prahlad Brahma was shot dead at his residence in Baganpara town of Baksa district. A member of the Bodo People’s Front’s youth wing — Mohilary’s party and the Congress’s partner in government — was gunned down at Japadom the next day. Gunmen struck again 24 hours later, killing the head teacher of Pumuafwthar ME School, Hareswar Swargiary, at his Pub Athiabari residence.
“These days, one does not even trust his brother, forget about others. People dare not open their doors when someone knocks at night,” D. Talukdar, a resident of Borbori, said.
Clashes between NDFB militants, who are supposed to be confined to their designated camps, and former members of the Bodoland Liberation Tigers have occurred in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, too.
Daimary said in an email interview with The Telegraph that he appreciated Mohilary’s initiative to end the bloodshed and would gladly sit for talks. “I am really saddened and disturbed by the suffocating situation. So many lives have been lost for no reason at all. It is good that Hagrama wants to talk to resolve the differences and the misunderstanding that has arisen among us.”
Mohilary recently said he was ready to bury the traditional enmity between his erstwhile armed group and the NDFB for the sake of the Bodo community. “I really want to talk to him (Ranjan Daimary) for peace in Bodoland. I believe we can sort out the misunderstanding if we sit and talk. It is very important that we sort out our differences and work for the community.”
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