KOKRAJHAR, June 27 – The State Government has extended ceasefire agreement with the Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA) upto February 2005. The decision for extension of ceasefire has been taken at a meeting which was held on June 23 between Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and a delegation of ACMA. The meeting was held at the CM’s chamber in Janata Bhawan, informed Xabrias Khakha, chairman of ACMA.
Khakha further informed that beside the Chief Minister, Khagen Sharma, Inspector General of Police (special branch), Kanhu Murmu, Chammander in-chief, S Munda, education and environment secretary and the himself were present in the talk. It may be mentioned here that the ACMA came into existence on July 7, 1996, only to provide security to the lives and properties of the riot-hit Adivasis of lower-Assam who were affected in Bodo Adivasi violence in 1996-98. These refugees took shelter in 24 different relief camps in lower Assam after losing movable and immovable properties. More than 2.75 lakh Adivasi people were severly affected and thousands of Adivasi people died in the violence.
The ACMA unilaterally declared ceasefire on September 15, 2001, with the state government of Assam demanding two major issues which were immediate rehabilitation to the riot-hit Adivasis of lower Assam.