Centre alleges Pakistan’s hand in spreading rumours leading to protests

RIOTS\\ Ethnic clashes which began in July 2012, between indigenous Bodo tribes and Bangladeshi Muslims in Kokrajhar (Assam) left 77 people dead. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi ordered a probe into the violence which left more than four-lakh people displaced from 400 villages. Some 270 relief camps were set up to accommodate people who have lost their homes. The riots, which began in Kokrajhar, later spread to lower Assam, namely Chirang, Baksa and Dhubri. The violence broke out when two Muslim students were shot, which lead to revenge strikes on Bodo groups. The cause of dispute was over the control over land. The Centre has been blamed for delaying military intervention in the matter which has escalated to damage of human lives and property.

The Prime Minister visited the affected areas on July 28, 2012, to take stock of the situation. He asked the CM to take action to curb the violence. Singh promised `200,000 to the next of kin of the deceased and `50,000 to those injured. He announced `100 crore for R&R work in six affected districts, `100 crore as Special Plan Assistance for development programmes and `100 crore under the Indira Awaas Yojana.