The Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, has stated in the Parliament that the unfortunate incidents of violence took place in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon districts in Assam from July 6, 2012 and onwards.

As per the reports received from the Government of Assam there was simmering tension between Bodo and non-Bodo communities of Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) on various socio-political issues. The background of the recent spate of violence may be attributed to the incidents which took place mainly between July 6 and 19.

On July 6, Kamtapuri Liberation Organisation (KLO) terrorists fired indiscriminately at Muslimpara Gaon under Gossaigaon Police Station killing two persons belonging to the Muslim community and injuring three persons. One KLO terrorist was arrested in connection with the case registered in this regard. Though this was communicated to the Muslim people of the area, it was not believed by them and they strongly suspected the hands of Bodo miscreants in the incident.

On July 19, unknown motorcycle-borne miscreants fired indiscriminately in front of the residence of Mahibul Haque Ratul and Md. Abu Siddique both of village Magurmari and office-bearers of All Bodoland Muslim Students’ Union (ABMSU), thereby injuring them seriously.

On July 20, four Bodo youth while coming from Bhatipara side towards Kokrajhar on two motorcycles at Jaipur under Kokrajhar police station were attacked by some unidentified Muslim youths with sharp weapons as a result of which they died on the spot.

The communal incidents started in full swing after this particular incident of killing of four Bodo youths. Initially the incidents were concentrated in Kokrajhar district but later on due to bandh call given by ABMSU and All Assam Muslim Students Union (AAMSU) on July 23, the tension spread to the adjoining districts of Dhubri and Chirang as well.

Further violence again took place in the districts of Kokrajhar and Chirang on August 5 and 6 resulting in the death of eight persons and injuries to two persons.

As on August 8, the violence had taken a toll of 77 lives with another 50 injured (including 14 police personnel), and seven missing, affecting 244 villages, 47,936 families and 5,367 houses burnt as per preliminary reports so far. The State Government had set up 340 relief camps for affected families.

Over 170 persons indulging in violence and arsons have been arrested so far by security forces. About 309 cases have been registered in connection with ethnic violence. Special Investigation Team (SIT) with ADGP (CID) as overall in-charge has been constituted to investigate six important cases.

Comprehensive security plan has been chalked out to provide foolproof security to the affected population. About 104 fixed police pickets have been proposed in vulnerable villages of which 99 have been established. They have been given responsibility of ensuring security for the affected villages.