GUWAHATI: Assam’s minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has categorically said that the new Bodo peace accord, for which the spadework has started, would not affect the territorial integrity of the state.
Addressing the media here on Saturday, Sarma said the Centre has informed the Assam government that the peace accord would respect Assam’s territorial integrity and that no new area or district will be included in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
“In fact, the accord will lay emphasis on a lasting and peaceful solution to the Bodo problem and protection of Assam’s integrity. We appeal to the people not to believe in rumours about any area of undivided Sonitpur being included in BTC,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the proposed peace accord between the government and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland is expected to bestow more powers on BTC.
‘Seditious’ statement
The Assam government has decided to register a case against Sharjeel Imam, the “chief organiser” of the Shaheen Bagh protest against Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi, who had made a statement saying that “Assam needs to be cut off from rest of India”.
“We have taken cognizance of the seditious statement by Sharjeel Imam after verifying the authenticity of the audio clip and have decided to register a case against him. Such a statement is aimed at dividing the country and creating law and order problem,” Sarma told the media on Saturday.
The minister said that the state government would pursue the case and take action against Imam. “A certain section of people wants to destroy India and are fanning out such statements to divide the country. The people of Assam will not allow the state to be cut off from India,” Sarma said.
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