Welfare Party of India, at a press conference held at its headquarters in the national capital on 3 May, condemned the brutal massacre of Muslims in Assam and also demanded strong action against Bodo militants and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for Muslims affected in the region.
Taslim Rahmani, Secretary WPI, while addressing the press meet, said the root cause behind the brutal killing of Muslims is because non-tribals had made up their mind not to support the candidate of NDF. On polling day in Kokrajhar, Muslims opposed illegal voting in favour of NDF candidate and it subsequently led to the revenge killing for not supporting their candidate. Rahmani also informed that the state unit of WPI is working on the ground and as per information gathered 32 people have been killed, hundreds are missing and more than 50000 displaced.
Mujtaba Farooque, president WPI, questioned all who claim to be the custodians of the national territory why because of their vested interests the entire North East is allowed to become weak and increase its proximity with neighbouring China which may in the long run would be dangerous for the territorial integrity. The state government and the centre not willing to make the Muslims democratically and politically empowered despite their huge presence in terms of percentage.
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, vice president of WPI, while talking to reporters, said that the Bodoland agreement should be scrapped because 27 per cent Bodos have got all the rights and power to govern and decide as without scrapping it these problems will not get resolved. He further said, on periodic intervals Muslims are attacked for the simple reason because these Bodos want to terrorise Muslims to leave so that they can become 51 per cent. He also expressed concern over the presence of 70000 AK-47s in the region and the helplessness of the government to seize all these illegal weapons.
Nozir uddin Ahmad, president of ASSP, said these Bodos want to drive us out of our land so that they could get land, wealth and become 51 per cent. He also informed the reporters that he has raised the question of security of Muslims and asked the Chief Minister whether Muslims should take up their own security if the state government fails to do so. Noziruddin also demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation each for those killed and 1 lakh for those injured.
WPI has demanded dismissal of the state government, scraping of Bodo Territorial Council and the entire area to be handed over to army. Mujtaba Farooque, president WPI and Taslim Rahmani will go to Assam to take stock of the situation on the ground. WPI has also criticised the role of the state government and the centre for not addressing the concerns and issues of Muslims in the region.