Ex BLT and NDFB militants demand survival rights to Assam

Guwahati, Monday, July 14, 2008

With the beginning of the Assam Legislative Assembly monsoon session start the capital, Dispur hit by the raised voice of Former Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) and Surrendered National Democratic Front of Bodoland (SNDFB) over the atrocities of the ceasefire NDFB group which made the Bodoland Territory area under panic.

ex blt n sndfb1 yHoz1 18231

Somen Basumatary, President of All SNDFB Welfare Society agitated that the one half of the ceasefire NDFB cadres is now violating the norms of their ceasefire with the GOI to maintain peace and harmony among the area and its people. Basumatary added, “The group which laid their arms for the betterment of the national harmony is now under threat by the other group who are now on a cease fire. They grew over 2000 cadres till date beyond the original 250 members who did the cease fire agreement and also these members are now equipped with sophisticated ammunitions.

While the group extend their other demands of rehabilitation of the victim and surrender militants the Govt. of Assam official source said that they have accepted the memorandum and the necessity of the problem will be discussed shortly. Maheswar Boro, Secretary of Ex- BLT Welfare Society addressed, “The over aged ad surrendered cadres of the BLT are to be paid the monthly stipend after the vary agreement but its not yet done in a proper way and also we demand an ex- gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakhs to the victim families of NDFB violence.

Mithun Basumatary, a resident of Kokrajhar who was present in the agitation expressed, “It’s been a long time of panic for the people of the BTAD area where the alleged NDFB cadres, who are on ceasefire, are busy in extortion and violating the democratic rules in the land. Bullets and threatening are a major threat to the lives of not only to the non Bodo residents but also to them who wants to go back to the mainstream.” Adding to the problem Somen Basumatary, President of All SNDFB Welfare Society demanded that the GOI should take these problems with major urgency and also to implement certain laws for the job orientation of the rural young of the community who got easily involved in anti social activities for their bread and butter.

The Ex- BLT Welfare Society president Jana Mohan Muchahary informed the Govt. of Assam that the ceasefire group further violates the ground rules when they recently on 13th July evening attacked the office of Ex- BLT Welfare Society at Langhin Tiniali under Haoraghat PS in Karbi Anglong with firing and grenade. “The scenario in the BTAD area worsens with the incident of attack at the BPF office at Kokrajhar on 20th March 2008 which is a democratic threat and there fore the Welfare groups are now urging the Govt. of Assam to rethink the strategy on the maintenance of peace and harmony in the respective areas”.

.

The Govt. official accepted the memorandum of the group to be forwarded to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and concern after the Dharna and console the members to maintain democratic harmony in their agitations and assured to act fast on their demands. The All SNDFB Welfare Society and Ex- BLT Welfare Soceity further demanded to held election in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, Tiwa Autonomous Council and Mising Autonomous Council to sustain democracy in the region.