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Beltola clashes could have been averted: panel

Special Correspondent

‘Assam government has sought CBI probe’

Adivasi meeting, procession unlawful from the beginning
Police presence superficial

Guwahati: The Justice Manisana Commission, which probed the November 24, 2007 clashes between Adivasi protesters and residents of Beltola here, has concluded that the meeting and the procession organised by the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) were unlawful from the beginning and could have been “nipped in the bud, but it was not done for reasons best known to the authorities concerned.”

‘Superficial’

The Commission, whose report was tabled the Assembly on Wednesday, said there were “superficial or few police forces” during the procession and therefore, the damage caused to property and assault on locals could not be prevented. It took about one and half hours to control the crowd.

There was no anticipatory action for maintaining the public order.

“The absence of sufficient police force is to be explained by the authorities concerned with maintenance of law and order, especially with reference to Section 90-95 of the Assam Police Act.”

The Commission suggested that the entire matter be investigated by an agency of either the Centre or the State government to identify the persons responsible for the violence.

The government, in its Action Taken Report, said it had already requested the Centre to instruct the Central Bureau of Investigation to go into the matter.

Probe report

The 69-page probe report said “some sections of the Adivasi marchers were carrying weapons of various kinds and they assaulted local people and damaged vehicles, roadside shops, business institutions and residential houses by breaking glasses of windows by throwing stones/bricks and using weapons.”

“Revenge by locals”

About the attack on the Adivasi protesters, the Commission said that taking advantage of the helpless situation the retreating marchers were in when dispersed by the police, the locals “who were provoked by the activities of some of the marchers took revenge.”

Conspiracy

The Commission said “there was a prima facie case of conspiracy amongst some of the Adivasis at the instigation of the AANLA (All Adivasi National Liberation Army). The AANLA leaders instigated some sections at the meeting on the grounds of the Dakhin Beltola High School and also in the procession to assault people and cause damage to vehicles, roadside shops, residential buildings and other institutions.”

‘Ulterior motive’

The AANLA had an “ulterior motive in order to get an advantage out of the meeting”

The clashes left an Adivasi protester dead and more than 190 persons injured. A fleeing Adivasi girl was stripped naked and assaulted by three youths in full public view.

However, a local resident rescued her.

The probe report, however, did not mention much about this incident except stating “an Adivasi girl was stripped off clothes and one woman was alleged to have been raped.”

The protesters were demanding inclusion of Santal Adivasis and tea tribes in the ST list.

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