Guwahati, India, a small region tucked between Bhutan and Bangladesh, suffered attacks on February 12. Rabha tribals pummeled non-Rabhas at the regional local elections, resulting in thirteen dead.
The Rabha tribals lashed out in violence because the local elections, called the panchayat elections, were being held in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council area, which is seeking autonomy from the central government. Although it is stated in Clause 5 in the Rabha Accord that the government is not allowed to hold elections in Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council area, recent legislative changes have made it mandatory for panchayat elections to take place in all areas except for the Sixth Schedule Autonomous Council Areas.
The Rabha people want independence and do not want the government to be involved with their land, people, or decision making. The Rabha tribals do not want the government to impose control over them because many believe that the government would undermine their council’s authority. These recent attacks that occurred in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council area were perpetrated by thousands of Rabha tribal men and women who were equipped with machetes and spears. They tore through the polling stations as soon as the polls opened for the third phase. During these attacks, at least 100 schools that were conducting the polls were burnt down, along with ballot boxes and ballot papers. Many were injured in these attacks, including polling officials and presiding officers. They attacked cars, threw a petrol bomb at a car that was carrying polling officials, and blocked the highway by cutting down large trees so that security could not reach them.
The Rabha tribals then expanded their rampage and attacked Muslim villages by burning many of them down. In response to the violence, the government called in the army to subdue the violence. Polling was rescheduled for a later time in areas that were not able to vote; restitution was paid to individuals who were injured or lost family members because of the bloodshed.
