Udalguri — The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) will not sit idle till the Centre concedes to our rightful demand and grants a separate homeland for the Boro people along the northern belt of the Brahmaputra.
The above was echoed during the 12-hour national highway blockade programme undertaken by the students’ outfit here at Rowta Chariali, which witnessed participation by more than 10,000 ABSU activists and other supporters, besides leaders of regional political parites like the United People’s Party (UPP).
The NH-15 blockade at Rowta Chariali was on the agenda of the students’ organisation as a means to mobilise public opinion just ahead of the ensuing Assembly elections in the State. The huge congregation with banners and slogans came from different parts of Udalguri district, Dhekiajuli, Thelamara and Rangapara areas of Sonitpur district.
The huge gathering was addressed by ABSU stalwarts like Promod Boro, Dhiren Boro, chairman of NDFB (P), Zebraram Mochahary, chief convenor of People’s Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement, Prodeep Kumar Daimary, general secretary of the newly-formed UPP, Jatindra Nath Brahma, MCLA from Dotoma BTC constituency, among many others.
Meanwhile, talking to media persons, ABSU president Promod Boro said that the students’ organisation would never retire and would in fact continue to raise its voice until their target of a separate homeland was met.
The organisers of the mass movement, ABSU, PJACBM and the NDFB (P) in a press release after the blockade hinted at intensifying their democratic movement if the Government failed to respond positively to their clarion call.
ABSU president Promode Boro said that the Government of India had been adopting a discriminatory attitude on the demands raised for creation of new states. He said that according to information available with them, as many as 22 organizations are demanding creation of new states in different parts of the country, but the Government is holding talks only on the demand for creation of Telengana state, reported Aassam Tribune.
Boro said that in the year 2000, the Government of India had informed the Bodo organizations that there was no policy for creation of new states , but immediately thereafter, three new states were created. The Government should set up a state reorganization commission to examine the feasibility of the demands for creation of separate states, he added.
Justifying the demand for creation of separate state of Bodoland, Boro said, “ we have seen accords being signed but within years, fresh movements had to be launched. The ABSU suspended its movement for separate state after the signing of the peace pact with the BLT, but the BTC failed to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people and to protect the identity of the Bodo people. The BTC has very limited power and it is dependent on the State Government. The funds are also not allocated as per population pattern,” he said.