Udalgiri, Assam: It's been a year since the ethnic riots in Assam's Udalgiri district displaced about one lakh people. Though most of them have found their way back home, a tenth of them are still languishing in relief camps where relief is no more available.
Ganesh Mushahary was among the thousands of people who lost their homes in the Udalguri riots last year. Bhakatpara had witnessed the longest and fiercest clash.
While a tenth of the displaced people have returned back to their villages, Bhakatpara camp is still filled with inmates.
Exactly a year ago a lakh people were displaced in Assam's Udalgiri and Darrang districts. following ethnic clashes. Scarred by violence, waiting for compensation these people are waiting to restart their lives.
Meanwhile, the government has stopped providing free ration and though the law and order situation is back to normal, either community is tentative about returning home.
The compensation received appears inadequate for people who have lost everything.
"The government gave Rs 10,000 and tin sheets. For the larger families like ours, it's impossible to begin a new life. BTC said they will pay Rs 50,000. That's not happened either," said Mushahary.
Rehabilitation of internally displaced people has been the biggest challenge in India's North East and it's the children who, as always, are the worst affected.