GUWAHATI, Dec 18: A nine-member team of the Bodo People’s Front (BPF) led by Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Hagrama Mohilary today met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath in New Delhi and raised the demand for a separate Bodoland State. The delegation submitted a memorandum to Gandhi and explained to her as to why the Bodos wanted a separate State.
Talking to The Sentinel after the meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Mohilary said: “When the Bodo Accord was signed, the then National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre told the erstwhile Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) and All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) leaders in no uncertain terms that no new State would be created in the country. That statement made us drop our separate State demand and remain content with the BTC. Since the present United People’s Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre has brought about a significant change in its policy of carving out new States by giving its nod to the creation of Telangana, we have no alternative but to revive our previous demand. We want the entire north bank of the Brahmaputra from Sankosh river to Sadia.”
Talking to newsmen after the meeting with Sonia Gandhi, BPF MP SK Bwisumuthiary said: “Despite being sons of the soil in Assam, we are deprived of what we ought to get in the State. After its separation from Punjab, Haryana has developed a lot. If we demand Rs 100 crore for the development of BTAD, the Assam Government will give us an amount according to its own computation. Moreover, Central funds for the development of the BTAD is released through the State Government and that leads to delay in the release of funds. This apart, when we want to take an instant step on the law-and-order front, we can’t do that as the decision has to come from Dispur. Thus, we are in dire need of a separate State.”
Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary and Assam ministers Chandan Brahma and Rihon Daimary were among the nine members of the delegation. THE SENTINEL
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