Intellectuals in Kolkata condemn Assam killings

Kolkata : A section of intellectuals, close to the ruling Trinamool Congress, on Sunday condemned the massacre of five Bengali Hindus in Assam's Tinsukia district on November 1.

They staged a protest demonstration here, and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of creating unrest in the north-eastern state.

"The terror outfit that was initially suspected has also denied involvement. Who then is responsible for the brutal killings?," Painter Subhaprasanna said.

The intellectuals also slammed the Centre's role in the roll-out of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC), which has allegedly caused tension in the state.

"It is unbelievable that any human being can make unarmed people stand and shoot them ruthlessly. There was a cordial existence of Bengalis and Assamese in Assam but since the roll-out of the draft NRC, peace has been disrupted," Economist Abhirup Sarkar said.

He said that the ruthless killings were a reflection of that unrest.

A vicious environment of "aggressive regionalism" is prevailing in the country, said a Trinamool Congress delegation that visited Dhala in Assam's Tinsukia district on Sunday.