Hard Choices over Agonizing Situations: Assam

Sept 25, 2012: A combined peace meeting jointly organized by the Inter Church Peace Mission (ICPM) of Bongaigaon and Joint Peace Mission Team (JPMT) Guwahati provided a forum for the victims to express their anxieties with regard to the ongoing ethnic violence in BTAD area, in Assam,(N.E.India) on September 22.

Over a hundred participants, representing the communities in conflict were brought together the first time since the conflict broke out more than a month ago in Assam. Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil of Bongaigaon welcomed the participants who had gathered with eager expectations for taking the cause of peace forward. Representatives of Administration also were present.

Voicing the sentiments and mental agony of the victims, Professor Samsul Haque who had spent 18 days in camps said, “We have lost peace, self-respect, and mutual understanding. Community sense and social harmony have been damaged. It is a painful thing that there is no trust between the children of different communities when they meet in schools. They mistrust one another. Even the rickshaws do not carry you if you belong to one of these communities in tension for fear, his own community would attack him or be made to pay a fine of Rs 1000.00.”

“Without maintaining peace and harmony no society, or state can survive. Communal harmony, peace and tranquility are necessary for economic growth. The present situation has brought untold suffering to the Muslims and Bodos,” he added.

Even where the houses were not burned, they were looted when the inhabitants ran for their lives to the camps, one of the participants said.

“Now we do not meet each other in market-places. We cannot sell our products. If we do not eat, we starve. We are afraid of one another. We are suffering from a fear syndrome, always afraid of being attacked,” added James Basumatary.

“We need to have heart to heart talks with each other. This is the concern of the people in the rural areas. Animals are free to move around. But we human beings are not free because of fear. We have to make an all-out effort for peace,” he added, greatly appreciating the mission of the Peace mission teams.

Referring to rehabilitation, he said, “How can people live in those shabby protections with slushy floor in this rainy season? It is an inhuman situation. The refugees are told to move out because schools have to be opened. They have lost houses, property and agricultural crops. They have lost all hope.”

Professor Samsul Haque felt, the very social fabric has been poisoned due to the recent ethnic clashes, which have become a issue for all Northeast region, not only of Assam.

Different associations and different states in the country are taking out protest rallies. Anger is being generated. Prejudice and negative memories are being passed on to the younger generation.

In the Muslim relief camps they have put up posters like, “We are not migrants. How do you identify a migrant,” expressing the fear of expulsion from the state. Meanwhile there are reports that some illegal migrants have been arrested in different parts of the state.

Friendship visits to the camps from either side were suggested in order to remove the fear between communities. This could create trust among e the communities. What cannot be done individually can be done together, said Lutheran Bishop Nityananda Borgoary, the Chairman of the Inter Church Peace Mission.

“The young generations have lost patience. We should not add to their emotional stress that would disturb society. A little act of kindness from both sides can turn BTAD into a land of peace and prosperity, observed Mr Sunil Basumatary a High School teacher. According to him every expression of kindness will contribute to changing the heart of grievance-ridden people. A word of affection from either side will have a healing power.

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil reminded the gathering about the harm done to the young generation who are witnessing these tragic events. “They are under psychological strain. They will find it hard to face the challenges that lie ahead for them. They could take up issues in the wrong way, and future will remain uncertain”

In order to bring communities together the Archbishop suggested to organize confidence building programmes, including common cultural events. “ A message of peace must go out in various ways”, he said.

Lutheran Bishop Borgoary pleaded, “Why don't we develop the courage to say “I will love you” instead of saying the opposite. Love will bring peace, it will fill our life”. We will respond to this call. The world is looking for people who are working for peace, who will die for peace.