KOKRAJHAR, Feb 15 ? The Central Government should pay proper attention to the problems of all the ethnic groups of the north-eastern region so that they are not compelled to take up arms, said the chairman of the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), Sri Hagrama Basumatary. Talking to this correspondent here today, the BLT chief, who is meeting Bodo leaders from all over the State gathered here for the 35th annual conference of the All Bodo Students? Union (ABSU), said that they have no regrets for taking up arms for solution of the problems faced by the Bodo community as ?we took up arms for a just cause. But at the same time, he said that the BLT did not support the idea of others taking up arms.
The BLT chief expressed the hope that the accord signed between the Central and State Governments and the BLT would have an impact on the other militant groups operating in the State. He pointed out that the success of the negotiation process and the BLT proved that the problems can be solved through dialogues and this would definitely encourage the other groups for coming to the negotiation table.
Regarding the formation of the interim council of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Sri Basumatary said that the BLT would soon finalise the names of persons to be included in the interim council in consultation with other Bodo mass organisations. The Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who inaugurated the annual conference of the ABSU yesterday, said that the interim council would be formed by March 10 and the BLT is of the view that the interim council should be formed latest by the first week of March. He said that the BLT would be dissolved after the formation of the interim council and the BLT would form a political party in consultation with other Bodo mass organisations. The main ideology of the new party would be to ensure successful implementation of the accord. The BLT is fully satisfied with the accord, which also received full support from all Bodo organisations, he added. He also said that the BTC would give stress in the sectors like education, agriculture, road communication and health care.
The BLT chief said that the outfit has about 2000 cadres and as per the provisions of the accord, they would be absorbed in defence and paramilitary forces as per their eligibility. The BTC would also give stress on taking up self-employment schemes for rehabilitation of the cadres. He asserted that they are not keen to retain arms after formal disbanding and it would be the duty of the Government to give protection, if necessary, to the leaders and cadres of the BLT.
Referring to the opposition to creation of the BTC by certain quarters, the BLT chief pointed out that only some people from outside the proposed BTC area were opposing the creation of the council. ?Some people are definitely trying to provoke us but let me assure that we will not be provoked,? he added. He also sought the co-operation and guidance from all sections of the people for bringing in an era of peace and prosperity.
Meanwhile, BLT publicity secretary Mainao Daimari said that the outfit?s act of declaring unilateral ceasefire during the Kargil war was the turning point in the struggle. The Government of India reciprocated by initiating the peace talks which culminated in signing of the accord on February 10 last. The BLT vice-chairman Kamal Mushahary had talks with cross sections of people in Bongaigaon town in the last couple of days to defuse the tension after the attacks on Bodo students. The situation is now under control and no fresh untoward incident has been reported today.
Meanwhile, the ABSU conference, held at Banargaon, about ten kilometers from Kokrajhar town, amidst fanfare, has virtually turned into victory rally for the signing of the accord and today the ABSU and all Assam Students Union resolved to strengthen the bond of unity among all sections of people of Assam. Attending the conference, AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya called upon the ABSU to work unitedly for the solution of the problem of influx of foreigners into Assam. The AASU and ABSU also decided to work unitedly to remove the misunderstanding between the Bodos and non-Bodos regarding the creation of the BTC.