Orgy of Revenge Killings

Small militant outfits prove to be a major threat in Assam

This was one act of violence waiting to happen. Buoyed by its recent success with Ulfa, the main militant outfit operating in the state, the Assam government chose to ignore repeated signals of violence from the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). The result was a cycle of violence that has so far resulted in the death of 23 people, mainly Hindi-speaking, in three separate incidents.

The 23 people were killed to avenge the killing of an NDFB militant in the region on 8 November. Earlier, the NDFB had threatened to kill 20 or more people for every Bodo killed by security personnel. ‘We don’t care who they are, maybe Indian civilian or Indian forces,’ a spokesperson of the militant outfit wrote in an email circulated among journalists. The NDFB entered a ceasefire agreement with the Government a few years ago, but recently a faction broke out, and this is now proving to be a major headache for the Government. More so given that it has warned of more such attacks.

Over the years, many such outfits have mushroomed not only in Assam but in other parts of the Northeast as well. A few men come together, float a party, print a letterhead and then hold the Government to ransom. It’s almost routine. 

It is no secret that some of them have political connections as well. In the NDFB’s case, as long as the Tarun Gogoi government keeps treating them with kid gloves, this orgy of violence will likely never cease.

About The Author

Rahul Pandita

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