Guwahati:
The Bodoland territorial autonomous district celebrates it's 7th anniversary. This autonomy was achieved after almost a decade of violent insurgent movement by the Bodo Liberation Tigers. However, instead of peace it's formation has only escalated violence.
GK Pillai, Union Home Secretary, says, "The killings have to go down. There is an unacceptable level of violence. Too many young boys and girls are being killed."
National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and other Bodo groups has stepped up their activities.
In the last one year more than 50 people have been abducted in the area. Fratricidal killings are reported almost everyday.
At least 100 militants have been killed and a massive security deployment is visible but Bodoland has slipped into chaos.
Bodoland's experience shows that autonomy does not guarantee peace or even development.
Pitching one group against the other did not work. Appeasing one group and isolating the other has not helped either. Perhaps it is time to pay more attention to the security concerns of the common person rather than allow armed groups to dictate terms.