GUWAHATI: The Centre has assured to resolve the long-pending issues of the Bodo community for sustainable and permanent peace in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
A tripartite meeting chaired by Union home minister, Rajnath Singh was held at North Block in New Delhi on Monday and attended by representatives of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), People’s Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM) and senior officials from the central government and government of Assam.
The meeting discussed thoroughly issues regarding protection of tribal land rights, culture and identity and assured to take all necessary measures for the same.
Singh further assured to meet the Boroland movement group in December for talks after having discussions at the government level.
The ABSU delegation led by its president, Pramod Boro also comprised vice president Dipen Boro, besides members such as Romeo Narzary, Khungkhra Swargiary, Kwrwmdao Wary and Saranjay Brahma.
The PJACBM team comprised Rakesh Boro, Garjan Mashahary, two former MPs, U.G. Brahma and S.K. Bwisumuthiary, Bhraman Baglar and Rwngwra Narzary.
Meanwhile, the Aboro Surakhsha Samiti had called a 24-hour bandh on Monday against the reported “plan to upgrade BTAD into a Union Territorial Council” despite an appeal by Assam Police not to go ahead with such protests in the wake of the interlocutor of peace talks, AB Mathur denying any such development.
The bandh evoked a partial response in the Bodo belt but there was no untoward incident reported.
ABSU president, Pramod Boro, had on Sunday denied discussing anything in regard to the “upgrade of BTAD into a Union Territorial Council”, as reported in a section of the media, terming the news as fabricated.