Assam family struggles to cope with its grief

In over two decades of violence, the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has taken many precious lives, lives which snuffed out bread winners of families, lives of people who would have contributed in the present generations growth.

By Peter Alex Todd

Guwahati, May 14 : In over two decades of violence, the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has taken many precious lives, lives which snuffed out bread winners of families, lives of people who would have contributed in the present generation's growth.

Kamla Holoi is somehow making a living after losing two of her sons to ULFA attacks.

She says one of her sons was dragged from their home in. While Holoi weaves a new life, she is also trying to figure out why the ULFA acted so ruthlessly.

"I don't know why they killed my son. They did not have any bad blood with anybody. We never found out why my two sons were killed," says the weeping mother.

"We are facing difficulties. I cannot sleep at night. As summer approaches, it becomes more difficult to meet both ends. I am undergoing a hell of lot of pain at this age," said an elderly Holoi.

The wives of her sons lead a lonely existence. Deprived of their husband's love at this young age, even after six years of the tragedy, they are not able to reconcile to their loss.

The small plot of land behind the house is not enough to sustain their children. They are clueless about the reason behind their husbands' deaths.

"It has been very difficult for the children. They have got no special treatment. We are having problems leading our daily lives.

I don't have a job. I cannot get my children quality education," said the wife of a deceased son of Holoi.

Sixteen year old Parineeta, Holoi's granddaughter, does not know what to do.

"My father used to bear our expenses. But now, we have nothing. My mother works very hard to make us study. Our relatives give us something to wear, which we cannot afford," said Parineeta.

There are more than two hundred families in Assam, who have the same question to ask. Why has the ULFA killed their dear ones?

The United Liberation Front of Asom is a separatist armed opposition group from Assam, among many other such groups in North-East India. It claims to have been founded at the site of the historic Ahom structure Rang ghar on April 7, 1979.

It is reported that in 1986 it came into contact with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and the Kachin rebels operating in Myanmar.

[1] It was permitted to establish camps in Bangladesh in 1989 and initiated major violent activities in 1990. The US State Department lists ULFA under "Other groups of concern".

ANI