NEW DELHI, Jan 20 ? Negotiations between the Government and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) has run into a rough weather, with the Bodo militant outfit striking an adamant stand on reservation of seats for non-Bodos, forcing the Centre to extend the ceasefire pact for another month. The tension was writ large on the face of Bodo leaders as the peace negotiations with the Government is on the verge of collapse, with both Assam Government too refusing to budge from its stand on reservation of 10 seats for non-Bodos.
The tripartite talks among the BLT, Central and Assam Government was held amidst high optimism of a deal being clinched. But at the end of the talks came a one-para release from the Ministry of Home Affairs which said that as some more time was required to resolve all the outstanding issues, it has been decided to extend the cessation of hostilities between the security forces and the BLT for a period of one month and will remain in operation till February 21. The final round of tripartite talks will be held in early February to resolve the outstanding points, the release added.
However, the talks today that last for two rounds saw the BLT refusing to review its stand on the reservation of seats in the face of Assam Government?s insistence on having the 10-seats reserved for non-Bodos. The BLT on the other hand struck with its demand that the 10 seats be kept unreserved and there by open for the tribals to contest. The Assam Government, which is already under attack for giving in too much to the Bodos by keeping the seats reserved for non-tribals saw it as one way of safeguarding the interest of the non-Bodos. Officials mentioned that safeguarding the interest of the Non-Bodos were of prime concern to the State Government.
At the meeting, the matters got struck on issue of reservation of seats and the issue of demarcation of boundary took a back seat. Sources said Assam Government today proposed that it was prepared to hand over 12 additional villages of which two were from the 93 villages being demanded by the BLT and 10 others. As for the 91 remaining villages, the MHA planned to propose constitution of a high-powered committee to go into it and submit a report within a specific timeframe.
Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the Bodo camp and hectic parleys were held throughout the day at Bodo MP UC Brahma?s residence. A sizeable number of Bodo leaders including MLA?s and office bearers of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) are camping in the capital. The Bodo leaders immediately after the talks broke down went into a huddle and were later joined by the BLT leaders including their leader Kamal Mushahary and others.
Meanwhile, the State Government also stationed its Minister for Flood Control and WPT&BC, Bharat Narah in Delhi for the talks. In the anticipation of the Bodo issue being resolved, the Centre has already kept the economic package ready and draft Bodo Accord was also inked for the approval of all the parties concerned. The economic package involving several ministries was finalised at a meeting of senior Central Ministers chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani. The accord proposed to constitute a Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) under the modified Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The modification were incorporated for safeguarding the economic, political, social and educational rights of the non-Bodos.
Meanwhile, Bodos have held the adamant attitude of the Assam government responsible for the stalemate. Sri Brahma told this newspaper that the State government instead of playing the role of troubleshooter, has been playing the role of trouble maker. He said while the Central and State governments should be exploring all avenues to resolve the impasse through give-and-take, it is the BLT that is making all the concessions. ?The present formula is totally unacceptable for us but if some seats are kept unreserved, then it is my belief that BLT may be willing to come to a settlement,? Brahma said. He said an impression has gone out that all sections including various political parties are trying to isolate the Bodo community.