GUWAHATI, Feb 10 – The decks are now clear for creation of a Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) as the Cabinet sub-committee on the Bodo issue, after a meeting with the leaders of the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) at Dispur today, decided to recommend to the State Cabinet formation of the Council under the provisions of amended Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Talking to newsmen after the meeting, the Minister in charge of Plains Tribes and Backward Classes, Sri Bharat Chandra Narah said that the sub-committee will place its recommendations before the Cabinet on February 13 and the Cabinet is expected to take a decision in this regard on the same day. He said that the State Government’s decision will then be forwarded to the Centre for follow-up actions in this regard.
Sri Narah revealed that the BLT today submitted a list of villages and the map of the proposed BTC. He said that majority of the villages were included in the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC). He said that of the villages included in the BAC in 1993, 353 were excluded in 1999 and later 107 were again returned to the BAC. “We are examining why the remaining villages were excluded from the BAC,” he added. He said that the Government has requested the BLT not to demand more areas beyond Pachnoi as it would create complications. The minister said that the Sixth Schedule should be amended suitably to protect the rights of the non-Bodos living in the proposed BTC areas.
As per the decision of the meeting, four contiguous districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska and Udalguri – will be formed for inclusion in the proposed BTC. He expressed the view that reorganisation of districts should not take much time as the list of villages has already been listed. Talking to newsmen, the BLT vice-chairman Kamal Mushahary said that there were no conflicts between the Bodos and non-Bodos living in the proposed BTC area. He said, “If any person has any apprehension, he can get in touch with us.” He asserted that almost all the Bodo people were keenly looking forward to an amicable solution of the Bodo problem, and creation of the BTC would receive support from the masses.
The BLT publicity secretary, Sri Mainao Daimary, said that the State Government has agreed on principle for the creation of the BTC. He said that the next round of tripartite talks is expected after the State Government sends its recommendation to the Centre. He also revealed that in addition to the villages already included in the BAC in 1993, they demanded Bijni town as well as six nearby villages and three additional villages under Gossaigaon subdivision. The meeting was chaired by the Health Minister, Dr Bhumidhar Barman and the BLT was represented in the meeting by the vice-chairman, publicity secretary, secretary, finance secretary, home secretary, military secretary and the intelligence secretary of the outfit. The MLA of the Tamulpur constituency was a special invitee.