Gogoi counters BJP, says Assam violence not communal

"The violence in Assam is not a communal clash as alleged by the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is a clash between Bodos and religious minority community triggered by some elements with vested interests. Both communities have been affected by the clashes," Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said vehemently refuting BJP's allegation that it was a communal clash sparked by illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

Gogoi on Friday flayed the BJP for trying to give 'communal colour' to the violence that has swept four districts in Assam -- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Dhubri -- affecting over 3.92 lakh people from both the communities and causing the death of at least 45 people till date.

"The affected minority people were not illegal migrants but Indian citizens. Such baseless charges made by the BJP will not help resolve the conflict," Gogoi said.

According to the chief minister, confusion over the land right of non-Bodos (non-tribals) in Bodoland Territorial Council areas was one of the reason behind the prevailing tension between Bodos and minority community.

"I want to clarify that those non-tribal who used own land before signing of the Bodo peace Accord (BTC Accord) in 2003 between Bodo Liberation Tiger, central government and Assam government, will continue to have right over their land," Gogoi said.

He said such conflicts would stop happening if overall economic development for all the communities could be paved way for.

"There are conflicts of economic interests among various communities. Overall development of all the communities is the panacea for conflict resolution. All the communities have different grievances in Assam. It is uphill task to resolve conflicts," Gogoi said.

Meanwhile, seven more columns of the army have been deployed in violence-hit areas under BTC in Assam to arrest the further spread of violence.

Army has mobilised seven columns from the headquarters of the 21 Mountain Division and deployed the men at Saudarbhita, Sarbhog, Mushalpur, Tihu, Damdama, Kumarikata and Goreswar.

There were sporadic incidents reported from far flung corners of Baksa district. Three villages were burnt down in the district on Thursday night.

The Army has also established two medical camps at Kokrajhar for each of the communities affected by the violence.