Bodo Peace Pact to Spread Message of Peace Building across NE: Promod Boro

Kokrajhar, February 6, 2020:

Promod Bodo, one of the most prominent leaders of the Bodo nationalist movement, has informed that after the signing of the "historic" tripartite Accord, the focus in the Bodo-dominated regions will now be on "peace building."

After decades of insurgency and inner political strife, the Bodo organizations signed an Accord with the Government on January 27 last, with a focus on preserving the culture and language of the community, while at the same time, introducing several new projects and developmental undertakings in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

In an interview with Inside Northeast, Pramod Bodo, one of the firebrand leaders of the region, opines that the political power game will commence after the Prime Minister, who is visiting Kokrajhar to partake in the celebrations, departs for Delhi.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

What after the PM's visit? What about the implementation of the Accord? BTC elections are close, so do you think the ABSU or NDFB play a key role?

We have not had the time to discuss anything as of yet. Accord was signed, and various programmes are being held across the districts . We will start discussions once the PM leaves.

Can you shed some light on tomorrow's programme?

The Government and signatories are jointly organizing the programme. So, we want the programme to succeed. With this programme, we wish to disseminate the message of peace-building in Northeast, and, in fact, across all of India.

Non-Bodo organizations are not very pleased...some are agitating. How do you answer that?

All are cooperating. It will not affect the non-Bodos or the Assamese. A bandh was called earlier, and now it has been withdrawn. We wish to thank the people for withdrawing the bandh. This Accord will not harm the interests of any group or community.

So, the question on everybody's minds seems to be -- has the demand for a separate state Bodoland been rescinded after the signing of the Accord?

It depends., If the Accord is iomplemented word-for-word, people will hesitate to take to the streets. What do you think? People take affront when the demand is raised, and people also keept asking ...it is not an organization of two. It a collective organization. We will hold a concention after the Prime Minister Modi ji departs, and then, we will decide our stand. For now, the people in the BTR are celebrating the signing of the Accord.

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