Sixth Schedule: Centre asks State govt to submit modifications

NEW DELHI, March 24 ? The Union government has asked the state government to urgently submit the modifications to the Sixth Schedule it has sought for protection of the non-Bodos in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). Though the tripartite talks involving the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), Assam government and the Central government remained inconclusive here on Saturday, talks were stated to be on tracks. The next round of tripartite talk is scheduled to be held next month, sources informed this newspaper. The BLT delegation was represented by its vice-chairman Kamal Mushahary, while the Assam government was represented by Commissioner and Secretary PP Verma and other senior officials. The Ministry of Home Affairs officials were led by Special Secretary (North-east), Nimbalkar and joint secretary (North-east) Surender Kumar. Meanwhile, the talks on Saturday took stock of the progress of the peace process. With a new Special Secretary taking over charge recently following transfer of Dr PD Shenoy, the meeting mainly concentrated on stock-taking exercise. State government officials formally furnished the State Cabinet resolution adopted recently supporting creation of the BTC. The resolution while supporting the creation of BTC has called for modifications to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for protection of the non-Bodos living within the proposed BTC area. Following submission of the State Cabinet resolution, the MHA asked the State government to submit the safeguards proposed by it for amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The modifications likely to be sought may include protection of the political rights besides right to land and property among others. Sources said it is only after the State government submits its proposals on guaranteeing the rights of the non-Bodos that the air of suspicion and apprehension prevailing among the people would be cleared. Apart from that another problem area was the demarcation of the border of the BTC. The resolution of the two crucial problems considered vital for solution of the Bodo imbroglio. Sources said that it has been clarified from day one that the right of the non-Bodos within the BTC area would be protected and BLT has given its consent to amendment to the Sixth Schedule for the purpose.