Violence Mars India's Republic Day Celebrations

Violence Mars India’s Republic Day Celebrations
Nilofar Suhrawardy & Agencies

NEW DELHI, 27 January 2005 — India showcased yesterday its military might and cultural diversity at its annual Republic Day parade amid high security, but celebrations were marred by violence in the country’s revolt-hit northeast.

Troops killed at least 10 civilians near Guwahati, the main city in Assam, after being attacked by a mob as they searched for rebels they believed were planning to target Republic Day functions, police said.

Soldiers fired on a crowd of about 5,000 people after they attacked the troops with knives, sticks and stones in the village of Hajo on the outskirts of Guwahati, the region’s main city.

Troops had gone there to hunt for guerrillas believed to be hiding there. “They thought the militants were in the crowd, but finally when local police identified the bodies, they turned out to be villagers. There were no militants among the victims,” said Police Inspector General Khagen Sharma. Hundreds of policemen have since been sent to the village to prevent more violence, another police officer said.

Two blasts also shook a heavily guarded Republic Day function in Guwahati, injuring at least two policemen, police said.

Police blamed the blasts, that occurred as state Governor Ajai Singh was about to unfurl India’s national flag, on the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) which has been fighting for decades for an Assamese homeland. A third blast occurred in the western Bongaigaon district near other Republic Day celebrations but there were no casualties.

The biggest official holiday of the year is traditionally a key target for scores of Indian rebel groups who reject the day as a symbol of the Indian government’s unwanted dominance.

In the capital, New Delhi, a tight security cordon was thrown around the eight-kilometer parade venue as thousands watched the events despite a biting winter chill and millions more watched live on television.

Tens of thousands of security personnel were deployed, with roadblocks at intersections and the city center closed to traffic.

President Abdul Kalam took the salute on the Rajpath or King’s Way, with Bhutan’s King Jigme Singye Wangchuck the chief guest. The monarch was said to be on a hit list of India’s northeastern rebels after his soldiers ousted them from border camps in his Himalayan outpost.

Security forces were on watch for a lone sniper suspected to be a member of the ULFA, whom police feared may have sneaked into New Delhi. Buildings along the parade route were taken over by security personnel.

India rolled out its military hardware, including the BrahMos cruise missile built by India and Russia, and the nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, Prithvi and Agni.

Representatives of the 1.1 million-strong armed forces were on show and colorful floats and folk dances highlighted India’s cultural diversity. The parade, marking India’s becoming a republic in 1950, followed a yearlong tentative peace process with Pakistan. The nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars, two over disputed Kashmir.

“I sincerely hope our two countries would be able to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, peacefully,” said Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in a message to Kalam.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Pakistan’s zone of Kashmir yesterday to observe India’s Republic Day as a black day, officials and witnesses said.

Waving black flags and banners emblazoned with anti-India slogans, the protesters paraded through Muzaffarabad, capital of Azad Kashmir. “Down with India,” cried the demonstrators as they marched to the United Nations office in the city, where they called on the world body to pressure India to stop alleged atrocities in its part of Kashmir.