Assam: Army Deployed in Kokrajhar District After Two Killed in Adivasi-Bodo Violence

New Delhi: The Army has been deployed in sensitive parts of Assam’s Kokrajhar district, officials said on Wednesday (January 21) after two people were killed in mob violence over what some outlets reported was suspected cattle theft, in Karigaon village. The incident triggered arson and clashes and the violence escalated further after members of both the Bodo and Adivasi communities gheraoed the local police outpost and blocked National Highway 27. 

A defence spokesperson told PTI that Army personnel carried out joint patrolling with the district administration in Karigaon and nearby areas on Tuesday night. Further, the spokesperson said that a flag march would also be conducted on Wednesday as a confidence-building step. Four Army columns are currently stationed in the district, according to the report. 

The unrest began on Monday night when a vehicle carrying three Bodo men hit two Adivasi persons near Mansingh Road under the Karigaon outpost, a home department official said, as per PTI. The three Bodos were reportedly beaten up by neighbouring Adivasi villagers, and the vehicle was torched which lead to the death of one person while another succumbed to injuries later, as per the PTI report.

According to a report by Assam Tribune published on Tuesday, villagers allegedly tried to stop a vehicle suspecting that cattle thieves were present in it, near the Gouri Nagar–Mashing Road stretch on Monday evening, which led to an accident and the vehicle skidded off the road. Later, the three occupants were allegedly assaulted by local villagers and the vehicle was set on fire which resulted in the occupants receiving severe burn injuries. Five people were allegedly taken to the hospital as per the Assam Tribune report. One person identified as Sikhna Jwhwlao Bismit alias Raja succumbed to his injuries while another Prabhat Brahma was reported to be in critical condition.

On Tuesday, tensions escalated as members of both the communities blocked the national highway near the Karigaon outpost, burned tyres, set fire to a government office and attacked the local Karigaon police outpost, officials said.

Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several people, including police personnel, were injured in the clashes.

“We have started the investigation from last night [Monday night] and till now 19 people have been detained. We are trying to pacify the people and urging them to allow the law and administration to do its duty,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Kokrajhar, Akshat Garg said, as per Assam Tribune.

The district administration has opened two relief camps at Karigaon High School and Gwajanpuri Amanpara High School after residents fled the area fearing further violence. Prohibitory orders have been imposed across Kokrajhar district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Internet and mobile data services have also been suspended in Kokrajhar and Chirang as a precaution.

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