From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Even as the UPA government in the Centre finding it hard to find an amicable solution to the raging Telangana statehood movement in the South, the Bodos have revived its long-standing demand for a separate state to be carved out of the State of Assam.
Over 15,000 people from the tribe on Friday held a rally at the sprawling parade ground at Amingaon in outskirt of Guwahati city on the occasion of 25th anniversary of Bodoland Statehood movement that was started this day in 1987 to press for their demand for a separate state for Bodo tribe in Assam.
The rally was organised by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) the spearhead of the movement, where the demonstrators from the community vowed not to take rest till their demand for a separate state was met with by the Government of India.
Addressing the rally, the ABSU president Promode Bodo said, “Our demand for statehood dates back to 1987 and we are closely watching what decision the UPA government takes about Telangana statehood movement . There will be no rest if no Bodoland. We are prepared for a prolonged phase of peaceful mass movement.”
The people coming to the rally holding placards shouting ‘no Bodoland no rest’, ‘Divide Assam 50-50’ etc cheered the leader when he said the UPA government should start dialogue for Bodoland as they had initiated process of formation of new state in the national level.
Bodo said that the students body would be compelled to resort to non-violent movement and call for even 1000 hour bandh if the Union government continues to ignore Bodo statehood demand. “The Government of India created three new states in 2000 then why not a Bodoland,” the ABSU leader said.
The Bodo tribe demands a separate state in the area for being the single largest ethnic group inhabiting that stretch of Assam.
