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Muslims Being Harassed in Anti-Bangladeshi Campaign
 "Indigenous" Muslims are being harassed in the name of evicting suspected Bangladesh migrant workers from the state, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has said. The outlawed ULFA, fighting for an independent Assamese homeland in Assam, said there were attempts at creating communal clashes in the state while trying to hound suspected Bangladeshi nationals from the region. "There are reports of indigenous Muslims being harassed and troubled by some people in the pretext of driving out illegal infiltrators from the state," ULFA Chairperson Arabinda Rajkhowa said. "There is a serious attempt at creating a religious rift in the state to trigger communal clashes. We appeal to the people of Assam not to allow people with nefarious designs to foment trouble."The ULFA also accused some political parties of trying to whip up emotions ahead of assembly elections in Assam scheduled early next year. "This is nothing but a pre-election exercise by people with vested interests," the ULFA leader said. Indian intelligence officials say several ULFA leaders operate out of Bangladesh. Dhaka denies the charges. Thousands of people thought to be Bengali-speaking migrant workers have left their workplaces from at least a dozen Assamese towns and cities after an unidentified group distributed leaflets asking them to leave or face action. Posted by: Fred 2005-05-24 |
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