Ethnic violence abates in Assam, Christians hopeful

Guwahati – The recent ethnic clashes between the Karbis and Dimasas tribes in the troubled Karbi Anglong district of Assam that have resulted in bloodshed and have claimed dozens of lives in the past few months appear to be abating, much to the relief of the Christian missionaries who are settled there.

Sometime back, Gospel for Asia (GFA), the U.S.–based mission group had observed that the escalating ethnic violence in Assam, this time between Karbi and Dimasa tribal groups are affecting the lives of the local people and unless checked immediately, it could spiral out of control.

In the recent clashes, three members of the local Believers Church were reported killed and 25 families had lost their homes.

"The situation is much better than before because of all the prayers of the Lord's people," a GFA pastor reported.

However, daily reports of “a village being burned or raided, or of a few people being attacked here and there" are still causing members of the Christian mission group serious concern.

Recently, an ethnic clash resulted in the death of dozens of local tribals, including eight women of the Karbi tribe who were burnt alive by suspected Dimasa militants. In another incident, four Dimasa tribesmen entered a train and started beating two Karbis. They would have killed them had it not been for the timely intervention of a few Bengalis.

"This kind of thing has been happening on the trains," said a GFA pastor of Believers Church. "But otherwise things look stable. Many are still in the refugee camps, while others have fled to new areas in hopes of beginning a new life. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is helping to keep things in check, but the government has promised to bring in paramilitary troops if the situation gets out of hand."

Meanwhile, GFA volunteers and members of the Believers Church continue to render assistance and relief aids to the displaced people.

“The region is filled with suffering people who have lost loved ones, homes and all sense of security," GFA said in a statement. "At least 42 refugee camps, with more than 30,000 homeless men, women and children, are located in the area. It is an area in which Gospel for Asia (GFA) native missionaries have established more than 700 churches, and the local Christians are suffering from the attacks."