New Delhi: Amid separate statehood agitation in his state, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said he was “open” to appointment of a second state reorganisation commission (SRC) but did not favour formation of Bodoland, saying,
“We want to live together.” Gogoi, who was at Parliament House to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also said protagonists of Gorkhaland and Bodoland joining hands is a “matter of concern”.
On the formation of a second SRC, he told reporters, “Till today I have not discussed it. But I am open to it. I’m not opposing it. If some sort of formula is formed, I will welcome it.” Asked about the separate statehood demand by leaders from tribal districts, Gogoi said, “We want to live together. We want to live as a joint family. “But still whatever their genuine demands are, we want to sort them out,” he said. To a query on protagonists of Gorkhaland and Bodoland coming together to intensify their agitations for statehood, he said, “I have seen reports. Definitely, it is a matter of concern.”
The Chief Minister, however, said cases of both Gorkhaland and Bodoland should be dealt with “in a different manner.”
“Both separate Gorkhaland and separate Bodoland demands have been going on for a long time. It is a separate issue. Both are separate. We have to consider both the cases in a different manner,” he said. He also said the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh has given a fresh spurt to the separate statehood agitation in his state.
“It has been quite a long time that they (Bodos) have been demanding… But of course, the moment it (Telangana) was announced, that triggered the agitation,” Gogoi said.
Demand for exclusion of non-Bodo areas from BTC
Meanwhile, as a Bodoland state demand movement is being build in Assam, a non-Bodo body on Monday demanded the exclusion of predominantly non-Bodo areas from the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) areas.
The Non-Bodo Suraksha Samiti today staged demonstrations in front of circle officer’s office in BTC areas.
They also took out processions through the streets of BTC in support of their demand.
The organisation has been demanding exclusion of villages with over 51 per cent non-Bodo population from BTC areas and has also approached the court with their plea.
While not directly opposing or supporting the Bodoland demand, the body has been also been demanding protection of rights and safety of non-Bodo people in BTC areas. (Agencies)