May 2014 Assam violence

2014 Assam violence
Part ofInsurgency in Northeast India
Location	Assam,India
Date	1 May 2014(2014-05-01)– 3 May 2014(2014-05-03)
Weapons	AK 47
Deaths	33 and 3 suspects
Perpetrators	3 suspected members of theNational Democratic Front of Bodoland'sSongbijitfaction
Motive	Not voting for Bodos

From the night of 1 May 2014 until the early morning hours of 3 May, a series of attacks occurred againstBengali MuslimsinAssam,a north-eastern state of India. The perpetrators are suspected to be members of the terrorist groupNational Democratic Front of Bodoland'sSongbijitfaction.Speculated to be revenge for not voting for the National Democratic Front in theLok Sabha elections,the death toll reached 32.

Background

TheBodo peopleare an indigenous community in theAssamstate of India and constitute about 3% of the state's population of 31 million people. Theinsurgency in Northeast Indiais ongoing for decades involving several rebel groups.In 2012, violencebetween Bodo tribal people and Bengali Muslims resulted in 108 deaths fueled by anAssam PoliceConstableMohibur Islam alias Ratul.

In India, theLok Sabhaelectionwas being held which would conclude its last phase on 12 May and the results would be declared on 16 May.

Attacks

Around 07:30 PMISTon 1 May, insurgents, arriving on bicycles, raided theBaksa district village of Narsingbari,opening fire on a house, killing three women and injuring two others. In the early morning hours of 2 May, another group of insurgents opened fire at three houses in the village ofBalaparain the district ofKokrajhar,killing seven people. On the evening of the same day, another group killed 12 people and burned down 30 thatched houses nearBaksa'sManas National Park.On 3 May, four suspected insurgents attacked police in the forest nearTezpur.Police fired in retaliation, killing two while the other two escaped. Police killed an additional suspect inUdalguri district,recovering a revolver and a hand grenade.

Investigation

Police arrested 22 people along with eight forest guards to investigate their involvement.TheAssam governmenthas decided to hand over the probe toNational Investigation Agency.

Aftermath

Security measures

Due to the attack, several Bengali Muslims from theDotomaregion ofKokrajhardistrict and its environs fled their homes.Bodoland Territorial CouncilchiefHagrama Mohilarypacified the panicked people and promised them of security.Curfew was set in Kokrajhar, Baksa, andChirangdistricts and shoot-on-sight orders had been issued in Kokrajhar and Baksa.TheArmydid flag marches in the sensitive areas of Kokrajhar and Baksa districts. Ten additional companies ofCentral Reserve Police Forcewere moved to the two districts. Strong action against the National Democratic Font has been initiated by thehome ministry of India.

The Union Home Ministry deployed 43 companies of theCentral Armed Police Forceswhile theDefense Ministryalso deployed 15 columns of the Army numbering approximately 1,500 soldiers.

Responses

TheChief minister of Assam,Tarun Gogoireviewed the situation with top government officials. The opposition political parties blamed the Gogoi-led government in failing to protect lives despite intelligence alerts.Prime Minister of India,Manmohan Singhcondemned the attack and termed it as a cowardly attempt to spread fear and terror.

In a statement, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) denied their involvement in the attack and claimed it was a conspiracy by the state government to create communal friction between Bodos and Muslims.

Relatives of the dead urged the Chief MinisterTarun Gogoito provide affirmative security and visit the area. They complained of pressure from local authorities to immediately conduct delayed funeral rites for those killed.