New Delhi, January 16: It's pouring good news from the North-east. As hopes surge over a peaceful settlement to the Naga issue, sources hint that the protracted Bodo problem that has been plaguing Assam is close to a solution.
The tripartite talks involving the Centre, state government and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) are in final stages, and an agreement may be finalised this month.
Sources in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that nearly all prickly issues had been sorted, and only some technical formalities needed to be worked out. ‘‘As soon as NSCN (I-M) leaders leave after completing their discussions, the government will focus on finalising the agreement with the Bodos,’’ sources added.
MHA Special Secretary (Border Management) R.C. Jain, who was heading Centre’s talks with the Bodos, was also on the panel talking to the Naga insurgents.
‘‘Talks with Bodos are at a crucial point. The only remaining contentious issues are inclusion of 93 villages on Sonitpur side in the proposed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), granting it Schedule VI status and inclusion of Bodo language in the VIII Schedule,’’ disclosed an official.
According to sources, all these issues were almost settled with both, the government and the BLT compromising on their respective stands. The government was willing to give them half of the villages they demanded, and the BLT too indicated softening of their stand.
About granting Schedule VI status — giving special protection to areas with tribal population — the government expressed its inability to the BLT since non-tribals comprised majority of the population in the proposed Bodo Territorial Council.
“The government also has to consider the sentiments of the non-tribals in the area that comprise 65 per cent of the population. We cannot afford to grant special rights to the 35 per cent tribals by alienating the majority. The government, therefore, had to tread with extreme caution,’’ the official explained.
As a compromise measure, the government has agreed to reservation of 50 per cent seats for the tribals in the proposed Bodo territory. ‘‘The BLT has agreed to it in principal and only the seats — that have to be reserved — needs to be finalised,’’ he added.
About inclusion of Bodo language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution, the government had asked BLT not to link the issue with the peace agreement. At the same time, the government had assured them that the language will be included along with others like Bhojpuri, which too were awaiting inclusion.
Including a language in Schedule VIII required an amendment in Act of Parliament and had several ramifications. The BLT had reportedly agreed to it.
Sources said that this time all the sides wanted a fool-proof agreement. The earlier half-baked 1991 peace agreement had left most people dissatified and bickering, and it soon fell apart. ‘‘This time around, we want a lasting agreement, leading to lasting peace in the region,’’ the official added.