GUWAHATI, Feb 21 — State Government is not in a hurry to demarcate the boundary of proposed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) despite the pressure from struggling Bodo groups including BLT and its allies ABSU and BPAC. Sources informed that in view of the stiff opposition voiced by non-Bodo groups including Koch-Rajbongshis and Adivasis living in Bodo heartland, the State Government would now try its best to evolve a consensus about the boundary of the BTC in order to find a lasting solution to the Bodo problem.
Moreover, the State Government is sensing trouble as other tribal groups like Lalung, Tiwa, Rabha, and Mising are gearing up to press for their demand for BTC-like tribal councils for them too in the wake of State Cabinet’s nod to formation of the BTC under the Amended Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Koch-Rajbongshis have even threatened to intensify their agitation demanding a separate Kamatapur state if the State Government fails to review its decision to constitute the BTC.
Meanwhile, Sanmilita Janagosthya Sangram Samity has called for three-day rail and road blockade in Lower Assam areas from February 24 next opposing the bid to constitute the BTC. Although the struggling Bodo groups have been stating that further delay in constitution of the BTC will lead to adverse fall out in Bodo areas, the State Government is not likely to take a hasty decision about the boundary of the BTC in view of the latest protests from various quarters.
The government’s attitude was well reflected when the Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi in his address in Bodo Sahitya Sabha yesterday avoided making any statement on the BTC much to the desperation of Bodo organisations. Sources, informed that the State Government was planning to take views of all communities living in the proposed BTC areas before finalising the boundary of the council. It may be mentioned that the BLT in its map of the BTC which was submitted to the State Government recently, demanded inclusion of 3481 villages in the council areas.