The influential All Bodo Students’ Union has given an August 13 ultimatum to communicate a date for holding tripartite dialogue on the union’s demand for a separate state for the Bodo tribe in Assam.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has assured that he would take up their demand for a separate state with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh when he visits New Delhi on August 11.
The ABSU, which has called off its agitation for the time being, after they were invited by Gogoi for talks said it had shown its sincerity towards resolving the issue through dialogue. ABSU President Promode Boro said, “We expect the government to at least announce a date on or before August 13 next for holding tripartite talks involving the Centre, the Assam government and the Bodo tribe leadership. If the government tries to play politics over the issue and delays talk then we will be left with no other option but to re-launch our agitation in a more vigorous manner.”
The CM also held talks with the Bodo National Convention, an umbrella organisation of about 35 Bodo civil society organisations over the community’s demand for a separate Bodoland state. Emerging out of the discussion with Gogoi, BNC Convenor Anjali Daimari said, “In 2003, we had agreed to a Bodoland Territorial Council instead of a separate state because back then the Centre did not have the policy to create new states in the country. Now, since the Centre has decided to create Telangana state, our original demand for a separate state must also be considered.”
The BNC urged the Assam government to convey its message to the Centre and take a resolution in the state assembly with respect to the creation of a separate Bodoland state.
Image: Supporters of Bodoland People's Front with their faces painted attend a rally at Kokrajhar, Assam
Photograph: Reuters
