Bishop appeals for aid to 400 thousand Assam refugees
(Oct. 24, 2012) Economic aid is urgently needed in North-East India’s Assam State
to support and rehabilitate the victims of clashes between Bodo tribals and Muslim
settlers, which in July have plunged the country in violence, said Bishop Thomas
Pulloppilil of Bongaigaon. Stating that the violence has caused 90 deaths and more
than 400 thousand refugees, the prelate appealed to bishops, religious leaders and
people of goodwill in India to help. Bishop Pulloppilil said he personally visited
the affected areas, because they belong to his diocese. Through our diocesan groups
and with the help of some NGOs, we have brought rice, salt, baby food, mosquito nets
and cooking utensils to refugees” he said.“We have organized several meetings between
Bodo and Muslim leaders to try to re-establish peaceful relations,” the Bishop said
and added that aid groups have paid particular attention to health care and hygiene
to prevent the spread of diseases. In addition to daily survival, there is a new threat
on the horizon. "Now that the winter is coming - said the prelate - life in the camps
will become much harder. Refugees are in need of blankets, sheets, warm clothes. We
need homes with sanitary services, agricultural implements, oxen for ploughing and
school supplies for children. The riots erupted on the night between 21 and 22
July last, when unidentified gunmen killed four young people in the district of Kokrajhar,
an area populated by Bodo tribals. According to police, some tribals revenged themselves,
attacking Muslims, held responsible for the killing. The violence erupted uncontrollably,
with different groups setting fire to cars, homes and schools, and shooting at people
in crowded places.