THE CPI(M) Assam state committee has strongly condemned the barbaric killing of innocent people by terrorists belonging to the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts of the state on December 23. This incident has proved that the state government led by chief minister Tarun Gogoi has once again failed miserably in tackling the terrorist activities and protecting the lives and properties of the people. On December 23 evening, NDFB(S) terrorists went to several villages in the two districts, asked the villagers to come out of their houses and then fired upon them, killing nearly 80 people, mostly women and children. Even in some villages, the militants entered the houses of Adivasi people and opened indiscriminate fire. Many believe that the toll could be more and daily newspapers in the state are reporting different numbers. In the wake of the December 23 attacks, tensions prevail in many parts of the state and thousands of people have fled their homes in the affected areas and taken shelter in relief camps. The gruesome incident angered the people not only in the affected areas but also throughout the state as well as the country. A huge number of people mostly Adivasis came out on December 24 in Dhekiajuli in protest against the heinous act and put up a roadblock. The police fired upon the protesters killing three persons on the spot. This incident of police atrocities has added fuel to the anger of the people. It is reported that ethnic clashes between the Bodos and the Adivasis are taking place in several areas, particularly in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur districts. Prior to the December 23 killings of adivasis in different places of Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts, four grenades were thrown in the towns of Kokrajhar and Gosaigaon on September 22, of which two exploded seriously injuring three persons. The state government, considering the gravity of the situation emerging from these explosions, did not take steps to strengthen security measures in the districts where the NDFB(S) is very active. The CPI(M) has expressed deep sorrow and conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their dear ones. The Party demanded that the central and state governments must take all necessary and immediate steps to provide adequate security to the people. Providing adequate security to the terrified people must be the utmost priority of the government, both at the centre and in the state. The Assam government must take necessary steps to provide adequate compensation to the families who lost their members. The Party demanded that the terrorists must be arrested and brought to justice at the earliest. The state committee also appealed to all political parties and organisations to isolate these terrorist forces and not to give any patronage for narrow political gains. The CPI(M) also appealed for peace and harmony among all sections of the people. Protesting against the killings, the CPI(M) Assam state committee organised a protest march in Guwahati on December 24. Hundreds of CPI(M) activists assembled near Guwahati Club. Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) state secretary Uddhab Barman condemned the gruesome killing of innocent people and strongly criticised the state government for its repeated failure in providing security to the people of the state. The CPI(M) also organised a street-corner meeting near the Reserve Bank where Party Central Committee member Deben Bhattachariya reiterated the Party’s demand of adequate security to the people of Assam. He also appealed to the people to stand united in this hour of crisis and defeat the conspiracies of the terrorist forces to provoke the people of Assam and instigate fratricidal clashes. Protest actions were also organised in several districts, including Tezpur (Sonitpur district), Pathsala (Barpeta), Manikpur (Bongaigaon), Tihu (Nalbari) and Rangia (Kamrup). A team of CPI(M) leaders visited the affected village of Sonajuli, 25 km from Biswanath Chariali (Sonitpur district) near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The delegation witnessed a total chaos and helplessness even after 20 hours of the gruesome killings. Party activists are also taking active part in organising relief at the camp opened in Tinisuti area.