Families recount horror of losing children in Assam violence

When Halima Khatun jumped into the Beki river with her five-month-old child to save his life from terrorists, she never thought it was the last time she was holding her child.
"Everywhere there was sound of firing. Some people who ran towards the forest guards' post were also fired by them. I had no other option but to jump into the river," Khatun (30) told PTI here.
While fleeing, she left behind her 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son as she could not find them and they are still untraceable.
Her husband was at the Bhangarpar market at the time of the attack.

"I tried to swim across the other side of the river, but could not.I could not hold my infant child and he was washed away by strong current of the river in front of my eyes.I found a stationary log in the water and survived by holding on to it," the inconsolable mother said.
She has not found the body of her child yet.

"While in waters, the gunmen were firing at us.Thankfully the bullets did not hit me, but many who jumped to save their lives died," Khatun said, adding she also lost her two brother-in-laws in the attack.

The current of the river was so strong that Khatun's clothes were also washed away and Army personnel rescued her after almost two hours and gave a 'lungi' to cover her body.
Same is the story of other victims of the terrorist attacks in Narayanguri and Hagrabari villages of Baksa district.
Except three-four fortunate families, all the remaining 70-odd families have lost their loved ones.
"I lost my three sons and a daughter.Their bodies were lying in the field when I reached there after an hour of the attack," Ajimuddin Ali (50) said.
Ali, who was away in Bhangarpar market along with most of the men of the villages, ran to the river side after hearing gunshots.

"But no boat was ready to cross the river fearing the attack.I had to wait for an hour to cross.And when I reached the village, everything was finished," he said.