NEW DELHI, Feb 27 � Amidst pandemonium in the Rajya Sabha over the violence in Rabha areas in Goalpara districts, Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde said that the turmoil had the potential to flare up into a major ethnic clash.
Shinde�s statement in the Parliament was marked by frequent interruptions by the opposition, even the Congress MPs Bhubaneswar Kalita and Pankaj Bora were engaged in a verbal duel, with Biren Baishya and Kumar Deepak Das and BJP MPs.
Replying to questions, the Home Minister assured that the Government of India would extend all assistance to Government of Assam in providing relief and rehabilitation. He defended the State Government�s decision to hold election in Rabha areas arguing that it was a Constitutional requirement.
The Chief Minister has categorically stated that he has ordered an inquiry by a one-man commission to ascertain the facts. He further assured that the State Government was committed to hold the election to the autonomous council as per schedule on April 30.
The Home Minister further dismissed the allegation that illegal Bangladeshi migrants had attacked the ethnic Rabha community by BJP MP Tarun Vijay. It is a very sensitive issue in Assam, where several tribal and ethnic groups live. But it was not an Indian or foreigner issue, as they were all Indian, the Home Minister said.
Meanwhile opposition MPs clashed with Congress MPs over the issue even as the Prime Minister watched the debate.
Earlier, Kumar Deepak Das participating in the discussion said that inherent contradictions have widened the fault lines in Rabha Hasong areas. He said that there was at least three different authorities working in the Rabha Autonomous Council areas, leading to confusion.
