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Dispur, the capital area of the state. While the rally was proceeding peacefully without anyprovocation or trouble the police started attacking the rally participants. Immediately localresidents joined theattack. Brutalviolencewasunleashedover the rallymembers, whowerenot prepared for this kind of unforeseen attack. Many students got seriously injured, nearly50died [thoughgovernmentdonotagree]. Thecrowdranberserk. In themidstof theattack

women participants were targeted dragged on the road, molested and beaten up.One tribal girl of barely 18 years ofage, was stripped naked, molestedand chased naked on the street It isalready highlighted by the media.One of the eye witness a ladydescribes her version in theTelegraph, "She was running likemad and there were some peoplewho were clicking pictures withtheir cellphones. It was one of the

worst and shameful crime anycivilized society could havecommitted. I felt so helpless justwatching .The girl disappeared intoone of the by-lane" After the attackhundredswereadmittedtohospitalsGuwahati receiving serious injuries.Somewerebrought toTezpur.

Assam to bear cost of Adivasi girls educationM. Veerappa Moily, senior Congress leader in charge of Assam, announced here that theAssam government would bear the cost of education (up to higher education level) of theteenagedAdivasigirl,whosemodestywasoutragedduringNovember24violenceinthecity.The State government had earlier announced a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh to her. Thesenior Congress leader was here to take stock of the situation in the wake of November 24violence in the city. On the issue of inclusion of the tea and ex-tea garden/Adivasicommunities in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Assam, Mr. Moily said the matter was stillopen and the Centre was still considering the State government proposal. He clarified thatthe view of the Registrar-General of India, opposing inclusion of these communities in theSTlist, wasonlyanopinionand itwasnot the final standof theCentreon thematter.

Present position:Hundredsare still receiving treatment inGuwahati andTezpur . Outof themthereare some

students represented our people's organization. They are receiving medical attention. Buthospitalsdonotprovidemedicinesandother requirements likeX-rayor scanning. Even it isdifficult for the parents or relatives to find immediate fund to support them. Since most ofthem are poor it is further difficult to meet their cost of staying in Guwahati or Tezpur tonursetheirwards.

The All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA) had called a 36-hour Assam bandh, beginningonMonday, toprotest against theattackonAdivasidemonstratorsduringa rallyby thestudentbodyhereonSaturday, evenasJharkhand leaders rushed toAssamto

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take stock of the situation and enquire about the condition of the injured. The All-AssamTeaTribeStudentsAssociation (AATSA)hasextendedsupport to thebandhcall andcalledforobservanceofblackday inall teagardensonNovember28.

Thepolitical leaders fromJharkhandvisited the injuredAdivasis and told the reporters that

the brutalities committed on Adivasis were very unfortunate as it occurred at a time whenthe tribals in Assam were spearheading an identity movement. There should not be furtherdelay ingranting theScheduledTribestatus to them.

Prayerful Support while caringNorth East India Diocesan Board of Social Services (DBSS) has been actively involved in

supporting and caring for thesevictims. The loss is irreparableandhuge but we believe that LordAlmighty through his wisdom andstrength would enable us to carryHis mission.

40 persons from our PeoplesOrganization need immediatemedical assistance and support.Some of them have head injuries

and they need scanning, which is quite expensive. The victims relatives need some logisticsupport to stay in the hospital. As per our approximate calculation a minimum ofRs.2000/- at an average per person will be requiredthat includes cost of medicine, X-rayorscanningas requiredandcost supporting theparentswhileathospital forcoupledays.

reportedby:Rev. PRADIP KAWA, Coordinator, NEI - DBSS.