A fact-finding report on the recent violence in Baksa in Assam, released by the Centre for Policy Analysis on 14 May, has blamed “hate speeches” by leaders for igniting up ethnic tensions in the State. “On April 30, six days after the polling, Pramila Rani Brahma, an MLA from the ruling Bodoland Political Front party, made a statement that the BPF would find it hard to win these Lok Sabha elections as Muslims of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) had not voted for its candidate. She has, however, denied this,” says the report.
It also points out an election speech by BJP prime ministerial candidate (now PM designate) Narendra Modi in Dhemaji, alleging a conspiracy to eliminate the endangered rhinoceros in Assam to make way for Bangladeshi settlers. Based on the report, the CPA has recommended a series of measures, including the appointment of a judicial commission for a time-bound probe, to ensure security and rehabilitation of the victims.