Ramnath Brahma, a Bodo tribal of Sonaripara village, who was appointed convenor of a peace committee by the district authorities, is himself in a relief camp today. “Peace, communal harmony no longer have any meaning here. Our very lives, existence are at stake. I think the Bodo tribals and the indigenous people will have to first defend themselves,” he said.

In the adjoining Darrang district, the situation is very tense. Armed groups from both sides have positioned themselves on either side of the road to defend their villages. The CRPF and Army jawans are trying to prevent a clash.

Two persons were killed when the CRPF opened fire on a mob in village Tiyajara near Bhakatpara, inhabited by migrant Muslims, after they tried to attack securitymen with arrows. In Punia-Warpara, four persons were hacked to death by a mob even as a police party was patrolling the area.

Mujibur Rahman (56), now at the relief camp at Dalgaon Madrasa in Darrang district, said his village was set ablaze by tribals last night. “They want us out. They want our land. They think we are Bangladeshis,” said Rahman. Over 600 Muslims have taken shelter in this camp.

Darrang, one of the six Muslim-majority districts of Assam, has 14 relief camps and Deputy Commissioner Dhrubajyoti Hazarika estimates that at least 10,000 people have packed these camps.