Shutdown in Assam; non-bodo groups say pact may not work

GUWAHATI: The third Bodo peace accord was signed in New Delhi on Monday, but non-bodo groups and opposition parties in the state feel the deal might not fulfil the expectation of bringing lasting peace to Bodo-dominated areas.

On the day the deal was inked with all four factions of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), several non-bodo groups called a 12-hour shutdown in protest, affecting normal life in several districts of Assam.

While Bodo groups welcomed the deal by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets, nonbodo organisations like the All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union, All Bodoland Minority Students Union, All Adivasi Students Union, Kalita Janagosthi

Students Union and All Assam Nath-jogi Students Union blocked roads and burnt effigies of central and state ministers.

As per Monday’s deal, the name of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), which administers Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD), would be changed to Bodoland Territorial Region along with the accruing of economic and political benefits.

“The new accord is undemocratic and unconstitutional. There are just 21% Bodos in BTAD area while the rest are non-bodos. But none of these groups were consulted prior to going ahead with the deal. This unilateral accord will lead to further isolation of non-bodos and won’t bring lasting peace,” said Pranab Narayan Deb, scion of the Darrang Koch royal family.

President of All Assam Minority

Students Union (AAMSU), Rejaul Karim Sarkar, said that while they welcome a permanent solution to the Bodo issue, Monday’s accord won’t bring that about. “Non-bodos were kept in the dark when Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) was formed in 1993.

The same thing happened when BTC was formed in 2003 and today it was repeated,” he said.

Opposition Congress also stated that a peace deal without taking all players, including nonbodo organisations, might not have the desired impact.