Former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro, has expressed deep shock and concern over the recent incidents of violence in Assam’s Kokrajhar district and appealed to all communities to maintain peace and restraint. Speaking on Tuesday, Boro said the killing of a young man in the recent violence had deeply saddened him. He said the incident has caused pain to many families and has once again created fear in a region that has already suffered heavily due to past conflicts. He offered his condolences to the bereaved family and said he prayed for peace for the departed soul.
Boro said that following the killing, reports of further attacks had emerged, which have alarmed people across the region. He noted that both Bodo and Santhali communities have suffered in earlier phases of violence and urged them to stay away from any form of confrontation. He said past violence has left lasting wounds in society, with many people still living with painful memories and some families continuing to stay in relief camps even today.
The former BTC chief also expressed concern over the impact of the unrest on students. He said the Matriculation and Higher Secondary examinations are approaching and any disturbance at this time could seriously affect students’ preparation and future prospects. Boro appealed to the administration to take all necessary steps to restore normalcy. He said additional deployment of police, military or paramilitary forces should be considered if required to ensure peace in sensitive areas. He also urged religious and community organisations from both sides to engage with people at the grassroots level and spread the message of peace.