GUWAHATI: A regional level consultation was organized at Sankardev Kalakshetra on Friday by All Bodo Students’ Union, NDFB (P) and Peoples Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM) which was titled as “Friends of Bodoland” to discuss “Challenges, prospects and perspectives of ethnic communities in North East India” rooted for grant of statehood to Bodo tribe community in Assam.
Mr. Sansuma Kungur Bwisumuthiary former Member of Parliament while addressing the gathering said “Bodos as a community have faced historical subjugation and exploitation in the hands of the ruling clique. Despite being the original autochthons of the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley, it has continuously faced attack on their history, civilization, culture and land. Thus, it is the prerogative of the government of the day to restore the dignity and self respect of the great Bodo community especially by giving them the state of Bodoland”
Swapnajit Sanyal, Working President, Vidarbha Rajya Agadi representing the Vidarbha statehood movement said “It is only in the interest of India that Bodoland is created at the earliest possible, or else it being located at the strategic chicken’s neck of India to security complications for India. While we firmly stand by Bodoland we urge upon all the leaders here to support the demand of Vidarbha”.
Jarjum Ete, the former Chairperson of Arunachal Women’s Commission while supporting the cause of Bodoland state urge upon Bodo leadership to ensure equal rights for women in all socio-political spaces. On the same occasioin, Mr. Bodhi S. Ranee, the Co-Convener of Tribal Intellectual Collectives of India said “the tribal movement in India so far has been reactive rather than being strategic. However, Bodo movement has so far been sources of inspiration for much tribal movement in India especially in the northeast. As the Bodo movement has become source of strength for struggles by many indigenous communities across the region, it ought to win the battle both intellectually and politically”.
U Naba Kishore Sing representing UNMM, Manipur said “successive governments both at centre and states in India have committed crime against humanity by killing hundreds of civilians by imposing AFSPA. These crimes in deed amounts to war crimes in the International Court of Justice. It is high time that India initiates the process of giving justice to the victims AFSPA. Both government and civil society now needs to engage in restorative work, so that the historical hurt can be healed”
Students’ union leaders representing such as ARSU, Deori Sangram Samiti, JACAS, ATSU, Nyishi Elite Society Assam, All Garo Students Union and all others spoke on one voice supporting the demand of Bodoland and urged upon the government to take immediate steps towards resolving the Bodoland imbroglio.
U G Brahma, former Member of Parliament said “ on behalf of the Bodo community, I extend heartfelt thanks to the political and social leaders of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura for always standing by us as and when we needed. We urge upon all of you to continue to support us, because once our issues are resolved, we will ensure that no one is suffers unnecessarily”