Assam crisis needs firm but sensitive approach
The situation in Assam's Golaghat district, located in the State's disputed border area with Nagaland, would not have escalated in this manner had only the authorities taken prompt measures to nip it in the bud. Instead, it was allowed to fester even as an assortment of insurgent groups, social activists and local politicians with vested interests stirred the pot to perilous effect. little else explains how a petty land dispute between an Assamese tribal and a Naga landowner could have taken on such proportions. Since the first clashes happened on August 12, as many as 10,000 people have moved to temporary relief camps, while half a dozen lives have been lost. The dispute had been brewing since April. After several rounds of talks between local authorities on both sides of the border, it had almost been settled. But when two tribal boys went missing earlier this month, passions were inflamed yet again. The Naga landowner was chased out of Golaghat, thereby prompting his community members to seek the protection of a local insurgent group. This is when the State Government should have taken firm action, both through its law enforcement agencies and local mediators. But it watched from the sidelines. Other players quickly joined the fray, spurring a vicious cycle of reactive and retributive actions that included the blocking of National Highway 39 which connects the two States, as well as arson attacks, abductions and murders. By the time the State stepped in, matters had already come to a head in Golaghat; Guwahati's insensitive response only made things worse as Assam Police opened fire at unarmed civilians and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi was heckled by protesters and shunted out of Uriamghat.
Unfortunately, instead of taking responsibility for his failure to keep the situation under control, Mr Gogoi has gone on an offensive and implicated the Central Reserve Police Force that patrols the disputed area. Also, since the paramilitary force is under the Union Government, he has sought to place the blame at New Delhi's doorstep and wash his hands of the matter. This strategy is straight from the Gogoi playbook which the Chief Minister had sought to use, albeit with equally little success, during the 2012 Bodo-Muslim riots in Kokrajhar as well. The Union Government has in fact assisted the State authorities as required by sending in additional forces; more troops are reportedly on their way. Also, the top leadership in New Delhi is very much in the loop. But law and order is a State subject and the Gogoi administration cannot dump that responsibility on the Centre. Instead, it should engage with the Government in Nagaland and the Centre to defuse tensions. Together, the authorities must ensure that the miscreants who started the fire are given harsh punishment. Equally importantly, the two State Governments must work towards resolving the border dispute that goes back to the creation of the State of Nagaland in 1963.