Balapara Village, Kokrajhar: On the night on May 1, Kokrajhar's Balapara village was the first to come under attack from alleged militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, the start of a cycle of violence that has in the last four days claimed 31 lives in Kokrajhar and Baksa.
Balapara lost seven people in the killings. Of those killed were four women and two children.
As we visit the village three days on, there is an uneasy calm here. A temporary police picket has been set up, and 26 armed guards of the Assam Police's special task force are providing round the clock security.
But people like Safijul Islam say that's not enough. Safijul lost his mother and father in the attack on Balapara. His 22-year-old brother, Tajrul, took a bullet and is admitted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Safijul says the government action in the case has not been enough. He says, "we don't want to stay here. The government should open a camp for us and we will go there. It's not safe here anymore. Yes this police presence gives me some confidence but it's just not enough. More raids need to be conducted. More people need to be apprehended."
Elsewhere in the village many people we meet direct their anger at Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Mohd Sayat Ali lost his mother, wife and two-year-old child in the Balapara killings. He says, "I don't think Tarun Gogoi is serious about the question of our welfare and security. He just keeps on saying that things like these keep on happening in the Bodo areas in Assam."
On its part, the Assam government says the situation in the area is normalising. Curfew was relaxed in Kokrajhar today during the day. 30 people have been arrested so far in the case and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said he will personally ensure that justice is done in this case.
Statements, that seem to be cutting no ice with victims on the ground.
Balapara lost seven people in the killings. Of those killed were four women and two children.
As we visit the village three days on, there is an uneasy calm here. A temporary police picket has been set up, and 26 armed guards of the Assam Police's special task force are providing round the clock security.
Elsewhere in the village many people we meet direct their anger at Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Mohd Sayat Ali lost his mother, wife and two-year-old child in the Balapara killings. He says, "I don't think Tarun Gogoi is serious about the question of our welfare and security. He just keeps on saying that things like these keep on happening in the Bodo areas in Assam."
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Statements, that seem to be cutting no ice with victims on the ground.
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