NEW DELHI, Feb 10 ? The decade-long armed struggle by the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) came to an end here today with the militant outfit signing a memorandum of settlement (MoS) with the governments of India and Assam. The signing of the MoS in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, State Health Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman, top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and State government officials besides leaders of the Bodo movement came after successful conclusion of the official-level talks in the morning. The tripartite MoS was signed by special secretary (North-east), RCA Jain on behalf of the MHA, State Chief Secretary PK Dutta and chairman of BLT, Hagrama Basumatary.
Present on the occasion was Bodo MLAs, representatives of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Bodo People?s Action Committee (BPAC) and ABWWF besides others. At the signing ceremony held at the North Block, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the development and said that solution to the problem will speed up development of the Bodo areas.
Later, echoing similar views, the Chief Minister said signing of the agreement will benefit the entire State. The solution to the Bodo problem will help to usher in peace, stability and economic development of the Bodo people, besides fulfilling their political aspirations. Gogoi, who left for Kolkata soon after signing of the agreement, said that the development package given by the Government would help in economic uplift of the Bodo areas.
Later, talking to newsmen, BLT spokesman Maino Daimary said the signing of the agreement would bring socio-economic and educational benefits to the people as it will also fulfil political aspiration of the Bodo people. The BLT leader also assured that there will be no discriminations against non-tribals and all people living within the BTC would be treated equally. The BLT spokesman, thanking all political parties, made special reference to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the BJP, the Assam Sahitya Sabha and All Assam Students Union (AASU). As for their move, the BLT leader revealed that they are forming a regional political party shortly by involving various Bodo organisations. ?So far we did not have our own political outfit though we have various other organisations,? he added. The work towards this is expected to start shortly as the Government will shortly constitute the interim Bodo Territorial Council after dissolving the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC). Daimari said that a conference of all Bodo frontal organisations would be convened to discuss the formation of a political party before they select their team for the interim BTC. The MoS provides for selection of executive council, including a chairman and a deputy chairman from among the movement leaders. Daimari had earlier said that they are going to surrender their weapons shortly after the constitution of the interim council.
Meanwhile, the official round of discussion this morning took place in a cordial atmosphere and gone was the usual tension. The Bodo leaders raised the issue of decreasing the number of nominated members from six to two but it was turned down by the State government prompting them to review their stand. They had also demanded that the nominations be made by Governor and not Assam government. The State government also conceded to the demand for inclusion of Bodo representative in the three autonomous councils of Tiwa, Mising and Rava, Hasong.
The Special Secretary (North-east) said that with the signing of the settlement with the BLT, the other militant outfit, NDFB, would be isolated and he was confident that the new agreement would be successful. The pending cases against the BLT cadres would be reviewed according to the policies of the State government. The MoS provides for withdrawal of cases not only against the BLT leaders but also disciplinary actions taken against the Bodo employees belonging to the State government and Central government undertakings.
Member of Parliament Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmutiary did not attend the accord signing function today. He was admitted to the Escorts Hospital last night due to heart problem and was shifted to Ram Monohar Lohia Hospital today.