Guwahati (CBCI News): Addressing a meeting of representatives of the communities affected by ethnic violence at Kokrajhar, Solomon Rongpi of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) said here: “Much has been achieved at Kokrajhar, but the dialogue between the affected communities must continue”.
The participants felt that a certain amount of resentment still remained among the people, in spite of a commendable measure of progress that was made in the area of peace. That is why the dialogue has to continue between the communities while rehabilitation efforts are taken up more seriously.
The meeting was organized by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) in Guwahati on March 20 and 21 with the collaboration of Interfaith Coalition for Peace. Several NGOs like Inter-Church Peace Mission (Bongaigaon), Joint Peace Mission Team (Guwahati) and others working for peace and reconciliation in the region took part in the meeting.
Surveying the situation prevailing in the Bodoland Territorial Area (BTAD), the participants expressed satisfaction at the easing of tension between the communities through the active intervention of various Church groups, social organizations, including the Government itself.
People close to the affected communities said there is still some fear and apprehension among the communities affected by the violence. The ethnic clashes that occurred in July 2012 claimed 70 lives and left thousands of people homeless.
Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil exhorted the peace-workers to respond to the desire for peace at a deeper level in each person. “That is the hidden resource that needs to be tapped”, he said. “Community leaders should be invited never to threaten the core concern of the opponent while pressing their own concerns. A certain amount of mutual respect will make gradual accommodation possible. A measure of consensus emerges through discussion. There is a pedagogy to be followed in all this”, said the Archbishop.
Prof. Samsul Haque from Kokhrajhar who had personally been affected by violence recalled “how the two communities had lived together for many years.” “Now resentment reigns among us. Unless people are compensated for what they have lost, this situation will continue” he observed.
Prof. Sheikh Abdulla felt that “We have to learn ways of living together in community and accommodating to each other.” It is easier to forget the past, when there is hope for the future. For this, adequate compensation if very important, he added.
In a statement issued, the participants of the meeting urged the Governments to attend to the needs of women and children affected by the violence including children who have been missing their classes. They also requested the civil society and social organizations to take active role in strengthening the process of peace and confidence building in BTAD.