Violent incidents and oppression against Muslims by Bodos of Bodoland area in Assam took place at a large scale. From 20-24 July, Bodo Liberation Front and other Bodo groups unleashed their barbarism and forced Muslims out of the four districts coming under Bodo Territory Council (BTC) namely Kokrajhar, Chirang, Kakbasa and Angodli. Their houses were burnt and ransacked, their livestock and other means of earning were destroyed and hundreds of them were killed in cold blood. Almost three lakh Muslims were forced to live in camps. Everyone had to bear the brunt of this inhumane treatment, be it children, pregnant women or old men. Muslims were left with no choice but to live in camps which lack even the basic necessities.
As soon as the horrifying news of violence in Assam broke out, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind immediately turned its attention towards the poor and hapless Muslims. JIH contacted the Assam Circle of JIH and gave instructions to take necessary actions with whatever wherewithal available. Besides, people swung into action in Delhi and met with various other organisations and zeroed in on extending immediate relief to those affected. Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, Ameer JIH, called a meeting to exchange views on the issue and decided to send a delegation to Assam to assess the situation so that relief work could be done in a more organised way. Besides, the delegation would also inform the centre as to how the situation be made better. This two-member delegation comprised Maulana Rafeeq Ahmad Qasmi and Muhammad Shafi Madani.
The delegation reached Assam on July 29 and immediately called on Ameer Halqa Assam and other officials. The Assam Halqa had already come up with a report, which was then handed over to the delegation. It was reported by the Assam Halqa that for four continuous days Muslims were tortured, beaten and forced to leave their homes and heaths. They were left completely at the mercy of the Bodos; however the state government did not pay any attention and proved to be totally inefficient. Because of this three lakh Muslims are now living in 174 camps across the state. The government could not do anything till July 29 (nine days after the first wave of violence attacked Muslims). The camps lack even the basic amenities. There is neither food and water supply nor people have any clothes to wear and the rains add to the fear of spread of diseases.
The delegation has come up with the blueprint of the relief work and has started acting upon it. The relief teams have been made which would provide necessary things for some camps in Dhubri district. To provide medical aid, a team of doctors has been made and important medicines are being bought for distribution. Almost 16 camps were provided with mosquito nets, clothes, food items, milk powder for children and other necessary things and so far almost 12 lakh rupees have been spent (Alhamdulillah). Medical teams have started their work in 10 camps.
The delegation planned to meet colleagues in Guwahati and other Guwahati Muslims so as to know the real reason behind the tensions between Bodos and Muslims and what can be done for improving their relations. The delegation also sought their help in relief work.
The delegation also met many lawyers, activists, media persons, MLAs and Ex-MLAs to seek their help in this cause and exchanged views. Following is the list of persons they met:
- Mr. Abdul Khaliq (Media Secretary, Chief Minister Assam)
- Mr. Abdul Aziz (Ex-MLA)
- Hafiz Abdur Rasheed Choudhary (Advocate and Vice President, Muslim Majlis Mushawarat)
- Professor Abdul Mannan (Ex-Professor)
- Mr. Sharmaan Ali (MLA)
- Mr. Abdur Raheem Khan (MLA)
- Mr. Zakir Husain (Editor daily Jan Adhikar)
- Dr. Ismail Husain (Professor Bodo Language, Guwahati University)
- Mr. Abdul Bari (Bodo Muslim Leader, Kokrajhar)
- Mr. Mujeeb-ul-Islam (MLA and Chairman, Minority Commission)
- Mr. Abdus Samad (Ex-President AAMSU, Barpeta Road)
- Mr. Sultan Ahmed (AAMSU)
- Mr. Nazeer Ahmed (President, Assam Singhya Sangram)
- Mr. Basheer Ali (Advocate)
- Mr. Ikramul Hasan (Advocate)
- Mr. Shahjahan (Advocate)
- Professor Hidayatullah
The above mentioned people helped a lot in understanding the real issue.
Later the delegation visited the affected areas. A delegation from Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, under the leadership of Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, was also there in Assam at the time. Other members of the Mushawarat delegation included Mr. Mujtaba Farooq (President, Welfare Party of India), Dr. Tasleem Rahmani and Mr. Naveed Hamid. Both the delegations visited the affected areas. The camps visited by the delegation are as follows:
- Sopadigudi
- Korang
- Moti Lal School, Pachbani
- Girls School
- Aamgori
- Bongai Village
- Godaimadi
- Adalgeri
- Pohra Village
The pitiful and sorry state of men, women and children was seen in these camps. The camps neither had any provision of electricity nor did it have enough food items and drinking water. The government’s contribution was limited to mere rice and dal (pulses). Other Muslim organisations also began the relief work.
The delegation met the people in the camps and assured people that soon they will be in a position to go back to their homes. It also educated people regarding legal judicial assistances. Five teams of advocates have been formed. These lawyers are working to file the complaints and FIRs of the affected people and are demanding compensation from the government. They are also persuading people to register their complaints.
At four places the delegation met with the local Muslims and exchanged views as to what could be the responsibility of the local Muslims in this case. The local Muslims included MLAs, Ex-MLAs, activists, lawyers, etc. The results of these meetings have bolstered the trust of the people.
On August 2 the delegation left for Kokrajhar. It was decided that besides meeting Muslim leaders, they will meet some Bodo leaders as well. The delegation tried to meet the chief of BTC, however he asked for excuse claiming time constraint and sent his deputy and Rajya Sabha members Mr. Satyajeet and Mr. Doneshwar Goyani KLA (BTC) for the meeting. The discussion lasted for one hour and a half and the issue of the displaced Muslims was dealt with extensively. They agreed to the point of sending Muslims back to their homes but said that before the return the state government should arrange better provisions for security.
Bodo people generally possess arms and ammunitions in large numbers which is a matter of apprehension. The issue of unlicensed guns was also raised in the meeting and they agreed that four Bodo groups have a large number of arms and ammunitions but they said that it is the government which has to do the job of seizing the weapons. The Bodo leaders assured of improving the relations with the Muslims and said such dialogue will definitely take the things forward.
On the night of August 2, the delegation met Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and the meeting lasted for 45 minutes in which many issues were discussed. The delegation urged the CM to take necessary actions so that Muslims could go back to their homes at the earliest. It further demanded better security provisions for Muslims. The compensation, which is very insignificant, should be raised and it should be at par with the compensation given to the Sikhs affected in the 1984 riots. The delegation pressed for seizure of weapons, dissolution of BTC and a high level enquiry into the matter.
The CM listened to the demands of the delegation and gave assurance that necessary measures will be taken in this regard. The same night delegation met Mr. Muhibbul Islam, Chairman, Assam Minority Commission, and requested him to take better actions keeping in mind the pitiful conditions of Muslims.
On August 3 the delegation organised a press meet in Guwahati’s Press Club. This was addressed by joint delegation and media persons in large numbers were present. The joint delegation included Maulana Rafiq Qasmi, Muhammad Shafi Madani, Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Mr. Tasleem Rahmani, Mr. Naveed Hamid, Choudhary Abdur Rasheed, Mr. Kifayatullah (Ameer Halqa Assam), Mr. Shams Ahmed (Ex-Ameer Halqa Assam) and Mr. Abdul Hameed (Secretary Halqa Assam).