Citizenship questions and inter-ethnic relations in Assam in context of Silapathar incident

Source: Tani Agom Ésar, Guwahati, Mising-Assamese Bilingual fortnightly, June 1, 2017. Language: Mising/ Tani

To read the pdf version of this media article, please follow here:https://www.academia.edu/33425059/Mising_language_article_on_Silapathar_incident_and_citizenship_issue_Hegemony_in_the_land_of_marginalised_is_not_a_good_thing

Atrocities by immigrant Muslims on Mising tribal in Assam

Asomiya Pratidin, April 17, 2017

Source: Amar Asom, 17 April, 2017

Amar Asom, April 18, 2017

The news report in Assamese dailies says that five persons which include teenagers from Dighali village was tied up in a tree at Gelua Tinali near Silapathar in Dhemaji district of Assam and stabbed by knives after a minor scuffle with immigrant Muslim settlers on April 14, 2017. The teenagers named Takuli Mili, 16 and Matang Morang, 17 from Dighali village were returning from market centre after doing a television recharge. Three other youths too were tortured by the immigrants who came to rescue their friends. The injured youths were admitted in Dhemaji civil hospital in night itself. The youth belongs to ethnic minorities group  called Mising. They are recognized as Schedule Tribe under Indian constitution. Police arrested 11 persons out of the 19 persons involved in the stabbing incident in 48 hours as pre-emptive measure to prevent inter-group conflict. It is said that the following morning tribal villagers came to immigrant Muslim village looking for the tormentors but police fired bullets on air and tear gas shell to disperse the agitated people. The district administration clamped Section 144 /curfew but in between one cowshed and a dome of paddy straw was lit with fire. The local legislative member, Bhubon Pegu took a stick and engaged along with police in dispersing the agitated villagers, the dailies reports. The women folk took to protest alleging that even after four days all the persons involved in the gruesome incident were not arrested by police. 

Source: Niyomia Barta, April 17, 2017

A Worth Remembering Conflict resolution between Tanis

Resolving conflicts
Misunderstandings, differences, conflicts, clashes between different groups, communities may arise from time to time due to varied perceptions. To prevent the occasional misunderstandings may not be feasible but it always can be patched up. The disputes should not be used as a convenient cause to drive a permanent wedge between two groups. The recent example displayed by the people of a border village in resolving their dispute is worth emulating. A violent clash notwithstanding which led to a firing incident could not stand in the way of finding an amicable solution and restoring the age old spirit of unity and friendship between the two groups. The people of Pale village in the Assam, Arunachal Pradesh border recently locked horns over a host of issues. The dispute took a turn for the worse with both the parties to the dispute hardening their stands. One of the groups — Takam Mising Porin Kebang enforced an economic blockade to protest against the firing incident at the Pale border village near Likabali in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

However, before the situation could deteriorate any further saner counsel prevailed. Within a week of the firing incident both the groups —Takam Mishing Porin Kebang and Galo Welfare Society along with Galo Students’ Union sat down for talks at Silapathar and sorted out the differences. The economic blockade was lifted and normalcy restored. Both the groups agreed to resolve all outstanding issues, including boundary dispute, through such peaceful negotiations and coordination meetings between members of both communities.Without letting the situation go out of hand both the groups acted promptly and handled the crisis in an amicable manner. Their action also helped in restoration of peace and harmony amongst the villagers residing in the inter-State boundary. Without keeping the issue alive both the groups resolved the differences amongst themselves without involving any third party. The groups also refrained from taking any help from the judiciary to solve the dispute. Nor did they allow any political party to fish in troubled waters and thereby keep the issue alive. The example set by the groups needs to be replicated. It will go a long way in resolving a host of disputes plaguing the State. People’s involvement can definitely help in resolving a number of local problems for which the politicians and the administration have no solution. Such an approach will also help in promoting better ties among different communities.

Courtesy:The Assam Tribune,Editorial15/11/2008

Tani Brotherhood rifts:4 Misings injured by Galo in Dimow

The Assam Tribune,04 November,2008
SILAPATHAR, Nov 3 – Four persons of Dimow under Silapathar PS in Dhemaji district America Mili (25), son of Nageswar Mili, Saheb Panging (10), son of Muhi Panging, Baba Panging (25), son of Guleswar Panging and Silsilai Mili (22), son of Bidya Mili sustained serious injuries this afternoon when Arunachalis allegedly opened fire on Assam-Arunachal border. According to sources, the six youths of Assam were returning after bathing in Dimow river at noon, when they were attacked by 40-50 Arunachalis. The sources also added that land dispute problems of Assam-Arunachal are the main cause behind the incident.People of Assam and Arunachal both claimed as their own land although the land is on the map of Sissi revenue block of Assam. Situation is tense in the area even as the culprits have been identified as Marto Nuri, Goa Riba, Tayor Bam and Ibam Riba of Pale Basti of Arunachal Pradesh.Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) has declared economic blockade in Dhemaji district for an indefinite period. General secretary of TMPK, Johan Doley said that due to the negligent attitude of Assam-Arunachal authorities such incidents have been occuring in the area. He also said his organisation has been demanding solution to the border dispute, but authorities has not taken measures in this regard. He also demanded seizure of the guns of Arunachalis and arrest of the culprits as early as possible, failing which the organisation will resort to agitation.Dimow Regional Students Union has also condemned the incident and criticised the district authority’s negligence towards problems although the disputed land has been declared as under Section 144 IPC.
Ngok Mé:lod: The land dispute row between Mising and Galos shouldn't be given a political colour by either side since Mising-Galo are kin to each other.The problem should be solved through discussion among both the Tani people.No side should cross the limit.