The Hindu : Bodo militants lay down arms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 07, 2003

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Bodo militants lay down arms

By Barun Das Gupta

KOKRAJHAR DEC. 6. The Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) laid down their arms at a function here today, signalling the end of 17 years of armed struggle.

The 2,623 BLT cadres, who rode through the town in trucks and buses displaying their arms, were lustily cheered by the crowds that lined the route to the Kokrajhar District Sports Association (KDSA) stadium, where the function was held.

The BLT "commander-in-chief", Hagrama Basumatary, who will be sworn in tomorrow as the Chief Executive Member (which has the rank of Cabinet Minister) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), announced the organisation's dissolution, brought down the BLT flag and hoisted a white flag.

The Union Minister of State for Home, Swami Chinmayanand, the Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, the Governor, Ajai Singh, State Ministers, MPs, MLAs and senior officials were present at the function.

Mr. Basumatary said 30 rounds of discussions had been held before the Memorandum of Settlement with the Centre was signed. He reminded the people that the Bodos wanted a "solution within the framework of the Constitution."

Swami Chinmayanand, Mr. Gogoi and Lt. Gen. Singh appealed to the other militant outfits in the region to emulate the BLT's example and return to the path of peace. Swami Chinmayanand said the BLT cadres need not feel insecure as the State would provide them full safety and security.

PTI reports:

He regretted that the Bodos had been denied their rights and that even after the signing of the the Bodo accord in 1993, violence continued to haunt the area. He hoped that with the creation of the BTC, the members of which would be sworn-in tomorrow in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, here, the struggle of the Bodo people for their rights would be fructified.Mr. Gogoi said that the non-Bodos residing in the BTC area should not feel insecure as the Government was adopting all steps for their security.

Mr. Basumatary appealed to the Central and State Governments to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of the cadres. Voicing concern at the violence being carried out by the ULFA and the NDFB, he said a new era of peace and development would be ushered in by the BTC.

Talking to presspersons later, Mr. Basumatary appealed to all sections of people to make the BTC a success and ensure all-round development of the backward areas.

"For the full implementation of the BTC accord, the help and cooperation of the people are a must. I am confident of implementing the accord in totality as I am sure that we can together orchestrate a new revolution for development and peace in Bodoland."

He stressed that there would be no place for corruption in the new set-up and funds would be properly utilised. After the formation of the Interim Council, the executive members would take the help of experts and chalk out a strategy for proper implementation of projects.

Top priority would be accorded to develop the communication network, education, agriculture and healthcare infrastructure.

The cadres laid down more than 500 varieties of assorted weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, AK-series rifles, light machine guns and SLR rifles.The stadium was packed to capacity with Bodo men and women dressed in their traditional colourful outfits.

During the surrender ceremony, which took over two hours, a Bodo shawl was presented to each of the 2,633 cadres, welcoming them to the mainstream. Prior to the surrender, the cadres ran two laps of the stadium in their uniform.

The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) symbolically presented a pen and a notebook to the cadres, signifying the exchange of the gun for the pen.

The State Government has announced amnesty to all the cadres and the withdrawal of cases against them.

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