Ethnic violence, a term often predominantly framed rhetorically by causes and issues related to ethnic hatred, though ethnic violence is often related to political violence. But the situation is of much graver consequences if ethnic violence is put off in the pretext of terrorism; although it ethnic violence accounts up as right-wing extremism.
The same can be learnt from the recent ethnic clashes in Assam. The violence has been between Bodo tribe’s people and immigrant Muslims has raised some indelible questions about the in the minds of the people. Why was no action taken by the government when the same districts had been under violence in August? The Government failed to take adequate measures like deployment of additional forces to prevent recurrence of such incidents and the same areas faced violent ethnic clashes once again. The Government has been claiming that members of the National Democratic Front Boroland (NDFB); a terrorist organization were involved in the incident. The fact that four cadres of the NDFB were arrested in the area only highlights the issue. The Government should take up the issue with the leadership of the NDFB strongly as NDFB is with a ceasefire with the government.
The clashes of such a large magnitude between the ethnic groups had an official death toll of over 60 and rendered over a lakh homeless. With the situation under control due to strong action under the army; the Government must institute a thorough probe to find out the persons responsible for instigating the miscreants to indulge in killing of innocents as cross sections of people, who were living peacefully in the area for years would not have indulged in such clashes without any instigation.