Assam citizen
GUWAHATI, Nov 2 – Representing a cross-section of people, residents of Guwahati today came together to denounce terrorism, raising not just the issue of security, but the need to reinforce peace-building efforts. In a well-attended meeting organised by the Asam Nagarik Samaj, speakers condemned the recent group clashes in Darrang and Udalguri districts, which had killed a large number of people, including women and children. Equally strong was their denunciation of the serial blasts on October 30 that left more that 80 people dead and around 300 wounded.
Noted litterateur Nirupama Borgohain called the violence in Udalguri and Darrang districts and the serial blasts “horrific incidents” which darkened the future of scores of people who had lost their breadwinners. She recounted incidents from Assam’s recent past that had created similar situations of pain and suffering.
“We now realise how vulnerable we are in a situation where we acutely feel the lack of safety and security, ” she remarked.
Denouncing the spate of violence that rocked the State, eminent intellectual Hiren Gohain described the recent times as a period of collective crisis for a society that appeared rudderless.
Gohain favoured all sections of society coming together fight acts of terror and violence based on reasoned understanding of the situation. He said the present situation has been made all the more complex by activities of government agencies, which have their own agenda in which the interests of the common person did not have the highest authority.
He said that acts of terror constituted a danger for all, and therefore the time has come to rise above narrow interests for the common good. Unfortunately, while some elements were busy trying to protect the government, some others were intent on building support for the opposition.
Referring to the media’s role in the recent incidents of violence, Gohain noted that a section of the media has acted without a sense of responsibility and sensitivity adding to the confusion of the people. Inaccurate and unsubstantiated news reports in both the broadcast and print media could not help in peace building efforts, and therefore there was a need for introspection and self-restraint.
Focusing on the assumed role of terrorists with roots in Bangladesh carrying out attacks in Assam, he mentioned that if that was indeed the case then the Indian government must use official channels to put pressure on the neighbouring country.
Holding political influence on the police force responsible for inefficiency of policing, Gohain said that the trend must change if the law and order situation was to improve.
Well-known playwright and Sahitya Akademi award winner Arun Sarma while blaming outside forces for the recent violence said that the voice of condemnation should be strong enough to have an impact beyond the borders of the state. He emphasised that amid this situation of chaos there was a need for the people and the Government to work together.
Referring to the violence hit people of Udalguri and Darrang, he mooted the idea of cultural initiatives to reach out to them with messages of peace and amity.
Noted academic Anuradha Dutta condemned the spate of violence in the State and underlined the need for a road map towards lasting peace. Dutta pointed out that in recent times it was women and children who were the most vulnerable and the most traumatised.
Bridging the political divide and building a consensus towards peace building was the real challenge in the present context according to Prof Abdul Mannan, who believed that political parties were still intent on extracting mileage from the recent incidents.
Others who condemned the incidents of violence and terror and spoke on the occasion included DN Bezbaruah, Hiren Dutta, Anil Roy Choudhury, among others.
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