In worst ethnic violence in North-Eastern Indian state of Assam, at least 32 Muslim villagers have been killed and their houses burnt.
New Delhi, May 3/Nationalturk – About 32 Muslim villagers have been killed and their houses burnt in worst ethnic violence in North-Eastern Indian state of Assam. The death toll is expected to rise further.
Police sources said a group of Bodo militants armed with AK-47 rifles, swooped down on Muslim houses in Balapara-I village in Kokrajhar district in Assam yesterday.
“The gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on the inmates, killing dozens of Muslim villagers including women and children. Dozens were also injured in the indiscriminate firing. The gunmen later burnt Muslim houses and fled from the scene,” they said.
They also attacked Muslims in two more villages.
Officials said 23 bullet-riddled bodies, including that of women and children, were recovered from Nankekhadrabari, Nayanguri and Khagrabari villages.
They said at least 70 houses of Muslims were torched on the banks of Beki river near the Manas National Park in the Baksa district.
Officials said nine more bodies were recovered overnight in Baksa district in Lower Assam, taking the death toll in the recent violence to 32. They said the death toll may go up as many have been critically injured.
Curfew imposed to restore order
After the killings and arson, authorities have imposed curfew in the area to restore order and peace. Besides, police have arrested 22 people and they are being questioned.
Army has been called in curfew bound areas and soldiers conducted flag march.
The authorities have issued shoot-at-sight orders in view of the bloodbath perpetrated by the Bodo militants.
Bodo militants blamed for violence
Authorities have blamed militants from Bodo ethnic group, who have long accused Muslim residents of coming into India illegally from neighbouring Bangladesh, for the killings and arson.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has strongly condemned the attacks, saying these were “cowardly attempts to spread fear and terror among our citizens”.
The region was subjected to large-riots in 2012. Over a 100 people were killed, and lakhs displaced.
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