GUWAHATI, Feb 10 ? The signing of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) agreement among the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), Central government and the State Government is set to mark the beginning of an intensive agitation by non-Bodo organisations in Lower Assam. The non-Bodo organisations under the united banner ?Sanmilita-Janagosthiya Sangram Samity (SJSS)? have threatened to jeopardise creation of the BTC which they claim aimed at appeasing a section of minority Bodo community in the Lower Assam areas.
The SJSS has taken exception to the creation of the BTC by the government without bothering to involve non-Bodo organisations in the discussion. SJSS leaders Brojen Mahanta, Phani Medhi, Tridip Pati Singha and others have vowed to oppose ?imposition? of the BTC on non-Bodos in the ?so called Bodoland areas? in the State. SJSS convenor Mahanta, addressing a public rally at Telipara under Gossaingaon police station in Kokrajhar district, today announced launch of an intensive and ?all-out? agitation against the BTC. Mahanta and other SJSS leaders attending the meeting questioned the failure of the government to involve non-Bodo groups in the discussion on creation of the BTC.
Meanwhile, the 12-hour Lower Assam bandh called by Koch-Rajbongshi students? Union (KRSU) to protest creation of the BTC evoked mixed response in different areas.
Our Bongaigaon Correspondent adds : The bandh paralysed life in Bongaigaon district today. All the educational institutions, offices and financial institutions in the district remained closed during the bandh hours while vehicular traffic were off the roads.
Our Kokrajhar Correspondent adds : The 12-hour anti-BTC bandh failed to evoke response in Bodo-dominated district. However, the bandh disrupted movements of traffic along the national Highway 31 passing through the district.
Meanwhile, the Bodo people in Kokrajhar district are gearing up to celebrate the creation of the BTC after signing of the new Bodo Accord at New Delhi today.