Catholic Church of India Calls for Peace in Assam

July 26, 2012: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India is deeply pained at the violent clashes taking place in Lower Assam especially in the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon and strongly requests the concerned communities to explore ways and means of living in love and brotherhood.

Assam remained cut-off from rest of the country as violent clashes broke out between the Bodos and the Muslims claiming over 41ives and rendering 200,000 people homeless. As the leaders of both the communities leveled charges on each other and the inaction of the administration, the rioters went about on a killing, burning and looting spree.

Relief camps have come up giving a sense of security for people, though the lack of food materials and shelter is a major concern. All these areas of disturbance fall under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Bongaigaon. Meanwhile, Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil who was on his Annual Retreat along with 28 priests at Kurseong in West Bengal cut short the retreat and rushed back to the diocese. It took 26 hours to cover the distance of 350 km as there were bandhs, curfews, section 144 and shoot-at-sight orders imposed.

The Bishop is personally monitoring the situation, has constituted a Relief Team and a Peace Mission Committee. The two NGOs of the diocese- Bongaigaon Gana Seva Society (BGSS) and the Diocesan Development Society have sprung into action under their directors Frs. David Antony and Biju Joseph respectively.

The tension flared up on 6th July when four Bodo youths were mercilessly chopped to death allegedly by a group of Muslims at Joypur near Kokrajhar. This led to retaliatory killing and then the region witnessed a chain of action and reaction.

The diocese of Bongaigaon is witness to a series of ethnic clashes. The most recent one was between the Bodos and the Santhals in 1996 and 1998, the after effects of which are felt even to this day. The church had played a commendable role in peace building efforts and rendering relief services under the guidance of Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, former Archbishop of Guwahati, of which Bongaigaon was then a part.

Once again it is time to wake up to the need of taking up a leading role in bringing peace in the midst of mistrust and differences. “Let us pray for peace and do whatever good we can”, urged Bishop Thomas in his address to his priests.

In a statement on Thursday, Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Secretary General, CBCI said “It is disheartening to hear that Assam is undergoing ethnic violence that has lead to loss of 40 deaths. The humanitarian crisis and the mindless violence have shattered the lives of many. The church while expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, assures solidarity with those displaced and suffering due to the clashes. The Catholic Church along with the diocese of Bongaigaon is exploring the possibilities of working together with the State administration and other like-minded NGOs in extending help in restoring peace and normalcy”