Babulal meets violence-hit tribals in Assam, seeks security for them

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi blamed the Assam government for not being sensitive to violence against tribal settlers

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi blamed the Assam government for not being sensitive to violence against tribal settlers.

"Had the government shown sensitivity and taken prompt and adequate action, so many innocent lives would not have been lost," Marandi said after meeting some victims of violence against tribal settlers from Jharkhand in Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang districts of Assam.

He left Jharkhand on the Christmas day and visited refugee camps at Lungsung, Lovelipara, Kadambari and Saltara in Korajhar district.

He met the Assam chief secretary, director general of police and the home secretary and demanded adequate shelter, security and aid to the victims.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha also expressed concern over violence against tribal settlers in Assam.

The party has decided that all the 19 elected legislators would donate their one month's salary to the victim families in Assam.

JMM legislator from Maheshpur Stephen Marandi said, "Hemant Soren had sought permission from the Assam government to visit violence-hit areas but the state administration did not permit his visit. A party delegation will definitely visit the areas after legislators take oath..."

Jharkhand Bhasha Sahitya Akhra general secretary Vandana Tete denounced the violence against Kokrajhar tribal settlers, mostly from Jharkhand, a "national shame".

Expressing solidarity with the families of the dead, the Akhra demanded immediate steps to bring the situation to normal and a long-term plan to check recurrence of such incidents.