Assam Toll rises to 64, Fresh Violence Reported

The brutal attack on Christian Adivasis by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) faction militants in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts of Assam, has now claimed 64 lives. The death toll may go up, as many injured are still battling for their life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack in strong words and vowed to take action against the guilty.

The attacks took place in the villages along Assam’s border with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. As many as 37 people were killed in Sonitpur and 27 in Kokrajhar. 21 women and 12 children were among the dead. More dead bodies are being recovered. In retaliation, the Chirang tribals killed 3 Bodo people today. At least 5 tribals were killed in police firing today, as they were launching attacks on Bodos.

The centre has rushed an additional 5,000 paramilitary forces to Assam to deal with the crisis. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is visiting Assam today to take stock of the situation. Christian Adivasis, along with Bengali-speaking Muslims have been targets of ethnic cleansing in Bodo-dominated areas of Assam. The Bodo militants are opposed to any peace talks with the Centre.