16th ‘National Mourning Day’ was observed in commemoration of the losses of the ethnic clash in the iniquitous Karbi-Dimasa ethnic clash of 2005. The solemn program was ordered as ‘National Mourning Day’ at a place near village Charchim on 17th October.

Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, Tuliram Ronghang after paying floral tribute at the memorial epitaph of the riot victims, portrayed the incident as the black-day of Karbi’s history. He requested every person to desist from all ethnic revelry in the days to come. He called on to maintain peace in the society and work for development of both the autonomous hill districts.

It may be recalled that the bloody incident unfolded during morning hours from the road near Charchim village of West Karbi Anglong on October 17 in 2005, where miscreants accost two passenger buses of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s Transport department and lacerated twenty two passengers mostly from Karbi community; women and children didn’t escape the spitefulness of the rioters.

According to official records, on that day the rebels also raided Charchim village, and torched maximum houses of that rural community and killed fifteen persons. Six more bodies were found a day later at the nearby village of Prseck.

The incident sparked off after three Dimasa auto drivers were found dead on roadside near Manja Township around eighteen kilometers away from Diphu on September 26. 2005; within a few days the incident turned into full-scale violence between Karbi and Dimasa community.  

As on October 29, 2005, a total of 88 people were officially reported killed, of whom 76 belonged to the majority Karbi ethnic group. The others killed include nine Dimasas, one Bodo, one Nepali and one Assamese.

Ronghang in his commemorative speech expressed his remorse over the backwardness of the locality. He announced that the whole area will be connected with good roads and better connectivity will be provided at the earliest.

 He also declared that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council will arrange a fund of Rs. 5 lakhs to observe the National Mourning Day henceforth. The memorial service was headed by the president of the ‘National Mourning Day’ observation committee Sai Tokbi.

Besides thousands of mourners and associations of the victim’s family members, MLA of Diphu constituency Bidyasing Engleng, MLA of Howraghat Dhorsing Ronghang, Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Rupsing Teron joined the excruciating observance.

Advertisements | 5E For Success