Bodoland: Centre signs peace accord, non-Bodo groups announce 12-hour bandh

The Centre on Monday signed a tripartite agreement with representatives of four factions of insurgent group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) in Delhi.

About 1,550 cadres along with 130 weapons will surrender on January 30 under the accord.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance and Health Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma along with leaders of the rebel group NDFB and ABSU were present in the meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“1550 cadres along with 130 weapons will surrender on 30th January. As the Home Minister, I want to assure all representatives that all promises will be fulfilled in a time-bound manner,” says Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“Today Centre, Assam Govt and Bodo representatives have signed an important agreement. This agreement will ensure a golden future for Assam and for the Bodo people,” added Shah.

Tweeting on the accord Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this accord will protect the people of Bodoland and protect their culture. “The Accord with Bodo groups will further protect and popularise the unique culture of the Bodo people. They will get access to a wide range of development oriented initiatives. We are committed to doing everything possible to help the Bodo people realise their aspirations,” said Modi on twitter.

However, the move was not well received by the non-Bodo groups in Assam. They have called for a 12-hr Assam bandh today to protest against the Centre’s move to sign a peace accord with different Bodo stakeholders, bringing life to a standstill in 4 districts; Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska and Udalguri, under Bodoland Territorial Council.

Four factions of the NDFB which have signed the pact, are led by Ranjan Daimari, Govinda Basumatary, Dhiren Boro and B Saoraigra.

Saoraigra took over the NDFB faction in 2015, removing its chief, I K Songbijit, who had allegedly ordered the killing of nearly 70 adivasis in December 2014.

The NDFB-Saoraigra faction had returned from their base in Myanmar about a fortnight ago and signed an agreement with the government for the suspension of operations.

Ranjan Daimari was granted four days bail by Gauhati High Court, facilitating his participation in signing of the peace accord.

This agreement aims at restoring peace and tranquility in the region by granting special economic and politics provisions to the people of Bodoland.

“The accord will provide for some political rights to the Bodo tribals living in Assam and some economic package for the community,” a senior official was quoted as saying.

“However, the the territorial integrity of Assam will be maintained,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma.