Ethnic Conflict in Assam Essay Example

Therefore, there are noticeable disparities in attitudes between older and younger individuals.

The novel begins with the narrative of journalist Tripti, as she journeys through the conflict-stricken areas of Kokrajhar and Sirang with fellow reporters Ferenga Choudhury and Derhargra Bodo. Together, they encounter various individuals affected by the clash, either as victims or instigators. One significant character in the story is Bilaishree, a young married woman who endures immense trauma after being raped by a group of nymphomaniacs. She seeks refuge in a refugee camp while unexpectedly carrying an illicit pregnancy. Other key characters include Margaret Marjo, an Aadivaasi woman in her middle age who tragically loses five relatives during the riot, Mako Lakra, a young educated reformist Aadivaasi man willing to embrace Bilaishree in his life, and Sivaram Murmu, a pimp who seeks to exploit the Aadivaasis for political advantage and is also suspected of engaging in human trafficking.

Alfolsa Kujur is another character in the novel, who was sold by human traffickers to a sex racket in Siliguri. These various incidents come together to form a powerful story that reveals the heartbreaking truth of our lost brotherhood as human beings. The main theme of the novel revolves around the ethnic conflict of 1996. On May 9, 1996, the dead bodies of three Bodo girls were discovered under a culvert in Satyapur, an Aadivaasi village. These girls had been gang-raped and their faces were so disfigured that they could not be identified. A police investigation revealed that "some activists raped and killed these girls and disposed of their bodies near Satyapur village with the intention of inciting conflict between the Bodos

and the Santhals." This ultimately resulted in an outbreak of ethnic violence between the two groups.

The novelist aroused the question of who was the culprit behind the evil motive to create the ethnic conflict through her character Tripti. Tripti allows the novelist to visually depict the inhuman incident of the gang rape and cruel murder of three women.

In just 48 hours, following the horrific incident, an eerie silence fell over the entire area. However, on May 13th, the devastation began to unfold as Aadivaasi Saraibeel village became ground zero for destruction. Houses, cow sheds, godowns, and crops were all consumed by flames, reducing the village to ashes. This inferno then spread from one village to another, leaving behind a trail of desolation. From May 15th to May 17th in 1996, this catastrophe resulted in the loss of lives for numerous individuals belonging to different castes - specifically claiming the lives of 119 Santhal villagers, 23 Bodo villagers and 53 others according to official government figures.

The author, Margaret Madro, vividly describes the horror of death during times of conflict. She recounts witnessing people perish while attempting to escape their burning homes, as well as those shot dead in their desperate bid for freedom. The corpses, left unattended in the paddy fields, decayed and became blood-stained lumps of rotten flesh. These bodies were among the missing individuals, casualties that were inevitably unaccounted for in the government's official count. The extent of death inflicted by bullets, the ethnic conflict, cholera, and malaria in the relief camps, and even the tragic plight of women forced into prostitution is a tale that evokes profound

sadness in every heart. The novelist skillfully portrays this narrative of collective grief and successfully conveys its impact.

The novel recounts a story older than the present one, focusing on Bhumka village, considered the birthplace of Bodo Nationalist Activities. This narrative exposes the inhumane events of January 15th and 16th, 1988 when state security officials brutally raped a Bodo woman, causing national outrage. Although this incident played a significant role in empowering women, unfortunately, justice was not served for the victim. The law enforcers' barbaric act remained unpunished, revealing the hollowness of our system. The novel also touches upon another ethnic conflict, the 1993 riot between the Bodo and Muslim minority community.

According to the government report, the damages and casualties in the Bodo-Muslim ethnic violence of October 1993 affected approximately 18,000 persons from 3,568 families who were forest encroachers. Similarly, in May 1996, a series of major incidents resulted in 202,684 persons from 42,214 families becoming homeless and seeking shelter in 61 relief camps. The violence resurfaced in May 1998 with sporadic incidents of killing, threatening, and tension. As a consequence, 314,342 inmates from 48,556 families were displaced from their native places. These incidents highlight the unstable condition of our society.

Our system has long disadvantaged marginalized communities in society. The Bodos, the most populous tribe in Assam, had great potential for success with abundant human and natural resources to strengthen their economy. However, their protest began in 1913 under Kalicharan Brahma's leadership in Parbatjhora. In 1921, Pratapchandra Brahma led a protest by the Bodo and Kachari residents of Kachugaon Reserve Forestry. Unfortunately, they were only met with eviction notices

due to the lack of clear and transparent Land rules. This situation has placed tribal people in a difficult existential dilemma. On a different note, Bodoland is home to Asia's largest Forest Division. The author mentions her opportunity to travel through this Holtugaon Forest Division in 1989.

Noting the emptiness of the road and the darkness even during daylight, she observed that the forest was incredibly dense. However, after 1998, the once ancient and mysterious forest turned into a desolate land filled with tree stumps. She believed that this previously green area had become a desert resembling a graveyard. Valuable trees were converted into timber and sold to distant regions such as Delhi, Haryana, and Bihar with the help of authorities. This syndicate allowed outsiders to exploit the treasures that rightfully belonged to others. Consequently, the dire conditions of these people worsened day by day.

The conclusion of the text highlights the success of the novelist in depicting lifelike images that resonate with readers. Through her skillful storytelling, she effectively portrays the ethnic clash between the Bodos and the Aadivasis, providing an authentic and well-documented narrative. Amidst the darkness of this conflict, there are glimpses of hope represented by peace-promoting NGOs, dedicated reporters, and other organizations. These entities serve as beacons of hope for Bodoland.