CENTRE FOR STUDY OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE (CSPV) JINDAL SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS, O.P.JINDAL GLOBAL UNIVERSITY (OPJGU)
Field Assessment Report on the
Humanitarian Crisis in BTAD
Districts of Assam (post-23rd24th December mass killings)
Phase 2 of Assessment: Kokrajhar District 9th-10th
January 2014
Author: Dr. Samrat Sinha, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor, Centre for Study of Political Violence
(CSPV), Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA)
The Humanitarian Field Assessment Report (HFAR) is a preliminary document that provides facilitation for the design
of evidence based humanitarian action and combines secondary data analysis with field observation and interviews.
The HFAR is part of a broader situational report which will be made available to various humanitarian organizations.
The report writing has been facilitated with the generous support extended by Doctors for You (DFY) and The ANT
(Chirang). Also acknowledged is the kind support and inputs provided by Mr. Nishant Buragohain (Project
Coordinator, Mercy Corps) and Mr. Tanaji Sen (Executive Director, RedR India). I also acknowledge the assistance
provided by Amanish Lohan and P.Rashmi, Student Research Associates at the CSPV.
1. Introduction
The occurrence of extensive internal displacement and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Assam in the
aftermath of the targeted violence and massacre of 82 civilians (mainly Adivasis) on the 23rd-24th of
December 20141 poses several challenges for any efforts at coordinated humanitarian action. Whereas the
overwhelming nature of the crisis calls for increased national attention and sustained humanitarian action
there are several challenges that are being faced by both governmental and non-governmental
organizations who are seeking to mitigate the consequences of the crisis. With more than 290000 (Two
Lakh Ninety Thousand) internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in 139 relief camps2 it is the most
extensive case of forced internal displacement in the region after the 2012 Bodo-Muslim violence which led
to the forced displacement of 500,000 persons. Further complicating the response is an ongoing
counterinsurgency operation by the security forces in the aftermath of the massacre.
For those involved in planning and conducting the response to the crisis, the primary challenge (which
is both an operational and an ethical one) is to ensure that lifeline services reach the maximum number of
citizens (especially those who are most vulnerable) and ensuring that the living conditions within the camps
do not deteriorate further. Thus planners and responders have to work towards ensuring that all
beneficiaries are receiving their entitlements and that they promote conditions that protect the
dignity and basic human rights of those being forced to reside in these camps.
The CSPV-Humanitarian Field Assessment Reports provides a disaggregated analysis of the ongoing
crisis and seeks to highlight the district level variation in the current situation in the BTAD region especially
in the districts of Chirang and Kokrajhar. The CSPV-HFARs provide disaggregated data and field
observations as an enabling mechanism for those seeking to respond as well as highlighting the
serious consequences of the ongoing crisis.
Altogether 82 people, including 26 women and 18 infants were killed since the evening of 23rd December in serial attacks by
NDFB(S) as well as in retaliatory violence and police firing across Kokrajhar, Sonitpur, Udalguri and Chirang districts. The total
number of injuries is yet to be determined. See http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/page/items/46903/oppn-demands-specialpackage-for-victims-of-ndfbs-attack (Accessed December 30th, 2014).
2 Compiled from Assessment Reports of various agencies (with identities being coded due to existing operational conditions) and
cross-checked with figures released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority.
1
1
2. Assessment Methodology for Kokrajhar District (Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon
Sub-Division): Visit to Camps and Villages Destroyed in Violence
List of Camps
Sub-
Estimated
Assessed
Division
Population of
Type of Camp
Source of Data
Adivasi
Government
Camp Assessed
Athiabari ME
Kokrajhar
5461
School
Patgaon Provincial
Data/Field Visit
Kokrajhar
5817
Adivasi
High School
Bismuri Bazar
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
Kokrajhar
3139
Bodo
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
Kachugaon High
Gossaigaon
37899
Adivasi
School
Panbari LP School
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
Gossaigaon
4310
Adivasi
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
Pakhriguri
Kokrajhar
7577
Adivasi
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
List of Burnt Villages
Sub-Division
Assessed
Bharat Nagar
Estimated Number of
Type of Village
Source of Data
Adivasi
Existing Community
Affected Families
Gossaigaon
110
List/Field Visit
West Bharat Nagar
Gossaigaon
73
Adivasi
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
Takampur
Gossaigaon
38
Adivasi
Existing Community
List/Field Visit
Total Persons
1946
Affected
Total Houses
278
Destroyed
2
3. Core Findings and Observations
Unlike the rapid assessment in Chirang District which was limited to IDP camps the assessment in
Kokrajhar District also included assessment of villages that have been completely destroyed in the ethnic
violence. As field interviews in villages that witnessed the direct violence reveal here was no way for the
either the Adivasi or Bodo communities to have anticipated the ferocity, intensity or the consequences of
the attack. It must be remembered that the killings occurred on the eve of Christmas when preparations for
festivities in the villages affected by the violence were about to begin. The findings pertaining to the camp
conditions must be interpreted in light of the fact that there was no “early warning” for the disaster
management authorities nor was such a scale of displacement anticipated. However, the past experience
of 2012 contributed to more coordinated efforts.

The humanitarian situation in the camps is extremely complex and reflects a similar set of risk
factors to those seen in Chirang (especially the poor conditions of food supplies, the lack
of protective shelters and water, sanitation and hygiene). There is a high risk of waterborne
diseases.

Due attention must also be given to those households who have been completely destroyed.
They face a double burden of not only being displaced but also to channelize their limited
resources to reconstruction and rebuilding of their homes. This also includes the provision of
both rehabilitation and psychosocial support as many individuals have been left traumatized by
the volume of destruction. Currently there are no identifiable psychosocial care programs
running in the camps.

Another major gap to emerge is the complete absence of child specific programming
(ranging from nutritional support, pediatric care, educational support, psychosocial
care, the creation of safe spaces) despite such a high proportion of children residing in
camps. Disaggregated figures are not available but extrapolating from the Chirang experience
as well micro-analysis of specific camp populations shows a dismal picture. It can be estimate
that approximately 29000 children are in camps (if the 41% ratio of Chirang is utilized) in both
sub-divisions (Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon). This also makes at total of 38000 children in
camps in the BTAD region.3
3
However some important models have emerged. As reported recently, “Nearly 300 students appearing for the
matric and higher secondary school examinations, lodged in various relief camps after the December 23 carnage
by militants of the NDFB (Songbijit) in Kokrajhar, have found temporary accommodation to prepare for their
examination. The Bodoland Students Union, the students’ wing of the ruling Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) has set
3

Children have not only become direct victims of violence (see Micro-Analysis of Victims
Shot Dead during the massacre) but are also disproportionately bearing the brunt of living
in such crowded unsanitary conditions. Many of these children are also out of school
(OOS) and are directly experiencing the psychological burden of being forced to reside
in camps.

Another avenue for programming identified in the assessment is support to the victims of
direct violence especially those who have suffered bullet injuries as well as families of
those who have been killed.4 There is need for the District Authorities to monitor the situation
of these survivors of direct violence and ensure that they are made eligible for the Central
Scheme for Victims of Terrorist, Communal and Naxal Violence 2010 as well the Project
AASHWAS Scheme.5 The families of victims of the massacre (including child victims) are
eligible for a package of entitlements and access to healthcare (as well as educational
support).6 Moreover community members do not know of the exact whereabouts of some of the
injury victims in terms of which hospital they were admitted nor is there any follow care for
those who have been discharged.7

Lastly, there is also a vital need for humanitarian organizations that are already located in the
region (who enjoy some degree of legitimacy) to start strategic planning and committing
resources to long term conflict transformation and conflict prevention programs which are
difficult to define under project cycles. In other words the risk of such mass displacement
occurring again can only be mitigated if peacebuilding also becomes a focus of post-conflict
recovery.
up three temporary camps, and is offering free coaching at three places in the district. Temporary accommodation
is available at Deborgaon, Alangibazar and Gossigaon for Bodo and Adivasi students.”
th
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150111/jsp/northeast/story_7853.jsp#.VLKMJZSSy-E (Accessed 11 January
2014).
4
Field Interviews and community based data-list on injury victims.
5
See National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, Annual Report 2011-2012 (New Delhi:
NIPCCD, 2013): 87 and website of Project AASHWAS.
6
The full MHA policy can be accessed at http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/T-Guide141008.pdF
7
Field Interview.
4
4. Overview of Statistical Data pertaining to the Camp Situation
The aim of this section is to provide an overview of the camp situation through a disaggregated analysis of
various statistical data. Especially critical are overall figures on children and at risk women (i.e. women
who are expecting). Another major aspect of the data analysis is that these numbers should be taken as a
proxy indicator for the crowded living conditions in the relief camps (which are generally demarcated
spaces and most instances being schools or clustering around military outposts). All major statistical data
should also be interpreted in light of the existing field photographs included in the report.
Table 1: Distribution of Displaced Communities as of 10th January 2015 in Kokrajhar District8
Subdivision
Number
of
Number
of
Bodo Number
of
Adivasi
Camps
Community Displaced
Community Displaced
Kokrajhar
23
11177
36541
Gossaigaon
18
2947
18429
Parbatjhora
2
0
2496
14124
57286
Total
Overall Displacement
71410
Table 2: Distribution of 47718 Displaced Persons in Kokrajhar Sub-Division as of 10th January 20159
Name of Camp
Total Persons Residing in Camps
Pakhriguri LP School and Church
6818
Serfanguri
1434
Athiabari Forest Office and Church
5461
New Bashbari School
3373
Uttar Bashbari LP School
246
Kariagaon LP School
0
Ultapani LP School
714
Duramari LP School
1889
8
9
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).
Ibid.
5
Uttar Sarlapara LP School
1111
Duramri ME School
859
Lungsung Moinaguri
1170
Sarlapara BOP SSB
4485
Jaypur Manglajhora
1567
Patgaon HS School
5607
Lungsung Kadamguri LP School
3179
Lungsung Salbari LP School
1412
Lungsung Indrapur LP School
2145
Gaurinagar LP School
800
Jithpur Monglajhora LP School
890
Deka Damra LP School
1378
Bishmuri Bazar
762
Garlabari LP School
1872
Labanyapur LP School
406
Khangkra BADA LP School
140
Total Number of Persons
47718
Figure 1: Estimate of Overall at Risk Camp Populations (Children and Women Experiencing
Pregnancy)10
Expectant Mothers,
593
Children, 29278
Total Camp
Population,
71410
10
Extrapolating from Chirang Assessment Proportion and combining with figures from District Health Directorate.
6
Figure 2: Micro-Analysis of Population of Children in Pakhiriguri Relief Camp11
Proportion of Children Residing in
Pakhirguri Camp (Total Population 7577)
6%
25%
Adults
0-6 years
6-12years
69%
Table 3: Micro-Analysis of Gunshot Injuries in Location Y12
Victim Code (Shot Dead)
Age of Victim (in years)
Gender
1
3
Male
2
21
Female
3
35
Male
4
25
Male
Victim Code (Injured with
Victim Age
Gender
1
20
Female
2
3
Male
3
10
Male
4
65
Female
5
60
Female
6
Not Available
Female
multiple gunshot injuries)
11
12
Source: Community Based Population List
Source: Community Based List.
7
Figure 3: Cumulative Diseases Treated in Camps between 23rd December 2014 and 10th January
201413
Distribution of 33665 Patients Treated in Camps
Number of Patients Treated
23429
7018
1782
1378
Diarrhea
Dysentry
Fever
58
0
Injury (nonviolent)
Measles
13
District Disaster Management Authority.
8
5
Others
Camp Mortality
Appendix 1: Conflict Analysis and Trends in Violence
Distribution of Violent Incidents in BTAD-CSPV Dataset (2012-2014)
365
244
230
45
Killings
Injuries
Aductions
Arrests
Monthly Trend in Incidents in BTAD-CSPV Dataset
100
90
80
70
60
People Killed
50
People Injured
40
People Abducted
30
Surrenders/Arrests
20
10
0
9
Appendix 2: Case Studies of Various Sectors Highlighting Relief Camp Conditions
and Destruction of Habitat
Quality of Shelter in Camp: Kachugaon HS (Initial Camp Population 37000 since 24th
December)
Original Habitats of Camp Resident (Destroyed on 24th December 2014)
10
Original Habitat of Camp Resident (Destroyed on 24th December 2014)
Shelter: Athiabari Relief Camp (Camp population estimated 4000)
11
Water Sources in Above Camp
12
Shelter Patgaon High School Relief Camp: Current Population 5000
13
Sanitation (Patgaon HS Relief Camp)
14
Healthcare: Public Health Centre as Relief Camp (Pakhurabari RC)
15