BARBARIC !

A local resident drags a woman, member of the Assam Tea Tribe Students Association at Beltola Survey, in Guwahati. Adivasis who took out a rally in Guwahati, demanding Scheduled Tribe status, were set upon by locals after they went on the rampage. (Photo Courtesy The Hindu) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adivasis, locals clash in Guwahati, Assam Rev. Pradip Kaw Coordinator, NEI DBSS throws light on the untoward happening a,
Brief Background leading to the incident There are nearly Fifty-five lakh (40% of the total population of Assam) tribal migrated to Assam to work as labourer in the Tea Garden. It dates back to the time when tea plantation started in Assam. These people though migrated may be before more than hundred years, have now permanently settled here in Assam. They are already few generations old and have no more connection with their root in Jharkhand. These people, for last more than 50 years, have been asking for their right to be included under the schedule as Tribe, so that they can avail opportunity and other benefits as other tribals across the nation. But the Assam government has not awarded them this right under some technicalities, under the plea that they are not indigenous tribe of Assam. Further government address them as Tea-tribe with no benefit attached. Various Tribal organizations are demanding government response on this issue for last 58 years or more. All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA) is one of the leading front organizations spearheading the campaign on this issue. The incident took place while the AASAA was taking a rally to the Secretariat. Detail Account It is a usual practice that during the Assembly and Parliament session various unfulfilled public demands are raised to draw attention from legislatures. These are generally done through rally and campaign .Similarly on 24th, Nov, 2007, while the Assembly in session AASAA organized one more round of rally to reiterate their demand for tribal status to the so called Tea-tribe. Nearly 5 thousand students gathered from across the state to participate in the rally. It was a well organized rally started from one of the school compound after some brief address by the student leaders. As per practice they all proceeded towards the

Dispur, the capital area of the state. While the rally was proceeding peacefully without any provocation or trouble the police started attacking the rally participants. Immediately local residents joined the attack. Brutal violence was unleashed over the rally members, who were not prepared for this kind of unforeseen attack. Many students got seriously injured, nearly 50 died [though government do not agree]. The crowd ran berserk. In the midst of the attack women participants were targeted dragged on the road, molested and beaten up. One tribal girl of barely 18 years of age, was stripped naked, molested and chased naked on the street It is already highlighted by the media. One of the eye witness a lady describes her version in the Telegraph, "She was running like mad and there were some people who were clicking pictures with their cellphones. It was one of the worst and shameful crime any civilized society could have committed. I felt so helpless just watching .The girl disappeared into one of the by-lane" After the attack hundreds were admitted to hospitals Guwahati receiving serious injuries. Some were brought to Tezpur.
Assam to bear cost of Adivasi girl s education

M. Veerappa Moily, senior Congress leader in charge of Assam, announced here that the Assam government would bear the cost of education (up to higher education level) of the teenaged Adivasi girl, whose modesty was outraged during November 24 violence in the city. The State government had earlier announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to her. The senior Congress leader was here to take stock of the situation in the wake of November 24 violence in the city. On the issue of inclusion of the tea and ex-tea garden/Adivasi communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Assam, Mr. Moily said the matter was still open and the Centre was still considering the State government proposal. He clarified that the view of the Registrar-General of India, opposing inclusion of these communities in the ST list, was only an opinion and it was not the final stand of the Centre on the matter. Present position: Hundreds are still receiving treatment in Guwahati and Tezpur . Out of them there are some students represented our people's organization. They are receiving medical attention. But hospitals do not provide medicines and other requirements like X-ray or scanning. Even it is difficult for the parents or relatives to find immediate fund to support them. Since most of them are poor it is further difficult to meet their cost of staying in Guwahati or Tezpur to nurse their wards. The All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) had called a 36-hour Assam bandh, beginning on Monday, to protest against the attack on Adivasi demonstrators during a rally by the student body here on Saturday, even as Jharkhand leaders rushed to Assam to

take stock of the situation and enquire about the condition of the injured. The All-Assam Tea Tribe Students Association (AATSA) has extended support to the bandh call and called for observance of black day in all tea gardens on November 28. The political leaders from Jharkhand visited the injured Adivasis and told the reporters that the brutalities committed on Adivasis were very unfortunate as it occurred at a time when the tribals in Assam were spearheading an identity movement. There should not be further delay in granting the Scheduled Tribe status to them. Prayerful Support while caring North East India Diocesan Board of Social Services (DBSS) has been actively involved in supporting and caring for these victims. The loss is irreparable and huge but we believe that Lord Almighty through his wisdom and strength would enable us to carry His mission. 40 persons from our Peoples Organization need immediate medical assistance and support. Some of them have head injuries and they need scanning, which is quite expensive. The victims relatives need some logistic support to stay in the hospital. As per our approximate calculation a minimum of Rs.2000/- at an average per person will be required that includes cost of medicine, X-ray or scanning as required and cost supporting the parents while at hospital for couple days. reported by: Rev. PRADIP KAWA, Coordinator, NEI - DBSS.