New Delhi, Jan 27 : The government today signed an accord with all factions of the dreaded insurgent groups of Assam — the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) — providing political and economic bonanza.
The All Bodo Students” Union (ABSU), which has been spearheading a movement for a Bodoland state was also signatory to the accord.
The tripartite agreement was signed by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, top leadership of the four factions of the NDFB, ABSU, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry Satyendra Garg and Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
As per the accord, BTAD will now be named as Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) with all administrative powers.
After the signing of the accord Union Home Minister Amit Shah said all the 1550 cadres of all the four factions of NSFB will formally lay down arms on January 30.
He said the tripartite agreement fulfill all the key political and economic demands of Bodoland.
NEDA Chief & Assam Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said all stakeholders of the Bodo society signed this agreement, reaffirming the territorial integrity of Assam.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, 1,550 cadres along with 130 weapons will surrender on January 30. As the Home Minister, I want to assure all representatives that all promises will be fulfilled in a time-bound manner.
The Home minister was keen to conclude the accord as early as possible to end the protected Bodo insurgency in Assam so that a lasting peace is returned to the Bodo-dominated areas in the state.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior minister and NEDA chief Himanta Biswa Sarma were present during the accord signing ceremony.
As per the accord, BTAD will be renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR)
A special package of Rs 900 crore has been granted by the Centre for overall development of the Bodoland areas.
Moreover , Bodo language with Devanagari script will now be the associate official language of the state .
As per the accord , a central university would be set up in BTA .
Apart from that the government would pay an ex -gratia amount of Rs . 5 lakhs to the families of those who were killed during the Bodo agitation .
