Christians fomenting ethnic violence in Assam, alleges Hindu outfit

Dispur – Hindu right–wing outfit, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has made a shocking allegation that Church leaders in Assam were fomenting ethnic violence to further their plans of carving out an “independent state,” Christian Today has confirmed.

Recent ethnic clashes between the Karbis and Dimasas tribes in the troubled Karbi Anglong district of Assam have resulted in bloodshed, claiming dozens of lives. As a result, thousands of natives have fled the region, taking refuge in the neighboring state of Nagaland.

Taking advantage of the situation, local church leaders are trying to “cooperate” with some insurgent groups to carve a “Greater Nagaland” out of Assam, claim the Hindu outfit.

During a Hindu conference, the RSS accused churches based in the North–east states of India of "dividing" three North–Eastern states – Manipur, Mizoram and Assam – to create Greater Nagaland.

The Hindu outfit, which has often been linked to attacks against Christians and churches, said, “It is the constitutional and democratic duty of the administration and political leadership to initiate moves to defeat the communal forces.”

“The demand to include some districts of the north–eastern state of Manipur in the proposed Greater Nagaland will put the very existence of the small state in jeopardy and therefore the resistance of people is natural and justified,” the RSS said – a statement seen as an attempt to inflame communal tension.

“The separatist forces are trying to create divide between the Karbis and Dimasas who were so far cohabiting peacefully to achieve their plan. Many were killed as a result and thousands rendered homeless,” the RSS added, referring to the innocent people killed in Karbi–Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts where Hindus are present in large numbers.

According to news reports, Christian leaders have dismissed the allegations, denying their involvement in ethnic violence.

Human rights watchdogs have suggested that Hindu fundamentalist groups are trying to create ethnic tensions in the area to prevent the spread of Christianity there, amid reports that many churches are growing among tribes of India.