Chirang (Assam):
Normalcy seems to be returning in Assam, which has been witnessing ethnic clashes for over a fortnight now. Due to the violence, nearly 4 lakh people have been displaced and over 70 are dead.
According to the Assam government, a quarter of those living in relief camps have now returned home. While that figure may seem a bit exaggerated, on the ground there is evidence to suggest that some people are now taking the first steps to return to a normal life by returning to their villages.
"We were at the relief camp since July 25 because of fear that our houses will be burnt down in this violence. Though I came back yesterday, I still have fear that things might turn violent and people might attack us. And if that happens, we'll have no choice but to go back to the relief camp," said Arvindo, a resident of Chirang.
The return has been prompted by assurances by the government that security will be provided by the administration.
There are almost 300,000 displaced people in lower Assam crowding ill-equipped relief camps after they fled their villages as intense clashes broke out between Bodos and Bengali speaking settlers last month. About two-thirds of that massive number are Muslim.
The administration is saying that by August 15, all those in the relief camps will come back. While that deadline sounds unrealistic, first steps are being taken and people here are hoping that things will soon return to normal.