Situation in Goalpara under control, being monitored regularly, says Shinde

February 28, 2013 | National News | Written by

New Delhi, Feb 28: Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde gave possible reasons which casued death of more than 20 people during the Panchayat elections in Goalpara district of Assam and gave details about the steps taken by the state and Central Governments to normalise the situation.

“At present situation in Goalpara district is under control and being monitored regularly. Curfew has been withdrawn from the affected areas from Feb uary 15 and Army has also been derequisitioned from Feb uary 18,” said Shinde, while responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.

“In order to control the situation, Army was deployed in the area. Besides, additional six companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were provided to the State Government in addition to 43 companies of CAPF deployed in Goalpara District on January 12. Curfew was clamped in the violence-affected area and Army flag march was conducted. Another four columns of Army were kept as standby. The situation, which had the potential to become an ethnic carnage could be controlled in less than 24 hours,” he added.

Giving a detailed background behind the incident, which claimed more than 20 lives, Shinde said: “The Assam Government had established a Rabha-Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) in 1995 through a State Legislation. The Council was primarily created for socio-economic, educational and cultural advancement of the Rabha tribe. There had been demands for inclusion of all Rabha villages in the Council. After long deliberations, 779 villages were notified as falling under RHAC. These villages are located within the geographical boundaries of Goalpara and Kamrup districts. From time to time, demands have been raised to bring the council under the sixth schedule to the Constitution of India. Other tribes and non-tribals living in this area are opposed to this demand.”

“It is to be noted that the RHAC being under State Legislation, continuation of Panchayati Raj institutions in the area remained mandatory under Constitutional provisions and when the Panchayat elections became due, the Rabhas demanded elections to RHAC to be conducted before the Panchayat elections. But the Council constituencies were awaiting delimitation. Considering this and other logistical and law and order issues, the State Election Commission decided to hold the Panchayat elections first in the month of Feb uary and the elections to RHAC on April 30,” added Shinde.

Out of the eight districts, which went to third phase of the Panchayat elections on Feb uary 12, 2013, polls passed off peacefully in seven districts. But in Goalpara District, it was disrupted by a large group of miscreants who attacked polling personnel as well as the security forces at many places. 25 security personnel and ten polling personnel got injured. The security forces had to resort to firing to control the violence at six places that resulted in death of 14 persons and other seven people died due to ethnic clashes,” he said.

“An ex-gratia payment of Rs.5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in police firing and Rs.50 thousand to the injured has been declared by the State Government. Adequate compensation to those whose houses and other properties were damaged during the violence will also be provided. Necessary arrangements for food, shelter, health, sanitation and water supply facilities have been provided to the persons staying in the relief camps. As on Feb uary 25, about 14,888 persons were staying in the relief camps and 4,008 persons had moved to their native villages,” he added.

He further stated that the State Government has instituted a one-member Judicial Commission headed by Justice P.C. Phukan to enquire into the incidents. (ANI)