GUWAHATI, Feb 19: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma chaired a series of meetings at the Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday with representatives from 28 organisations from the Bodo community residing outside Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
Official sources said the deliberations between the chief minister and the Bodo groups focused on the welfare, aspirations and key issues of Bodo communities living outside Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), including those in Rabha Hasong and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council areas.
The discussions, which the government claims to be another reaffirmation of its commitment to inclusive, equitable and holistic development, emphasised the significance of the government’s engagement in the affairs of the Bodo communities.
During the meetings, issues were discussed threadbare with community leaders who called for targeted government interventions to address their issues. Emphasis was laid on the issues concerning the people residing in areas administered by the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
The participants voiced concerns about access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, besides preservation of cultural identity and language.
Acknowledging the diversity within the Bodo community, the chief minister emphasised the importance of ensuring that development policies are sensitive to the unique needs of groups residing both within and outside the BTR.
The representatives appreciated the state government’s response to grassroots concerns, while urging regular engagement to keep track of the progress made on the issues of the Bodo community.
