Headlines       Vol. 1 Issue 38-39

Mar 7 - Mar 21 , 1999

Conducive atmosphere to solve Bodo imbroglio urged Assam Governor's move for peaceful solution Assam Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S. K. Sinha has urged the Bodo people to create a conducive atmosphere for finding an amicable solution of the vexed Bodo problem. Inaugurating the 38th annual conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Lt. Gen. Sinha expressed confidence that given goodwill and understanding there should be no difficulty in working out a solution to the Bodo problem. Stressing the importance of peace, the Governor said, “Violence must be eschewed and the Government and the people cooperate whole-heartedly in attaining the desired objectives in the field of development, For prosperity can be ushered only in an environment of peace.” Saying that the need of the hour is to create a conducive atmosphere for promoting properity and development of the Bodos, Lt. Gen. Sinha called for creating such an environment in the Bodo area to make the people enjoy prosperity along with maximum autonomy. Commenting on his efforts in bringing a solution of the problem, the Assam Governor said that he was greatly encouraged by the positive response from the eminent Bodo leaders and some militants as well to his endeavours for resolving the Bodo problem. He also called upon the Bodos to thrash unitedly to achieve the maximum well-being of their community. In the open session, Assam Sahitya Sabha president Chandra Prasad Saikia appealed to all the sahitya sabhas in the State to sit together to work out a strategy for defeating terrorism in the State. Mr. Saikia said that Assam's tradition never favours terrorism and violence and also appealed to the leaders and members of the militant outfits active in the State to lend their hands in making the people of the strife-torn State happy. In his speech, Bodo Sahitya Sabha president called upon all the ethnic groups originating from the Bodo family to assimilate with the mainstream of the Bodos. He called upon the the Union Government, State Government, all political parties, struggling organisations and the insurgent groups to settle the Bodo problem through negotiation. “This solution will provide the much needed peace in this region and promote the economic well being of both Bodos and non-Bodos living in the BAC area,” said the Governor. Lt. Gen. Sinha lamented that senseless violence unleashed by the militants made the plight of the Bodos worse. The Governor felt that strategies should be chalked out on a war footing to improve the economic condition of the Bodos. He informed that he had already taken up the matter with the Union Finance Minister and got positive response from the Centre. Assam Governor said, “A political agreement, which will largely meet the aspirations of the Bodo people, should be worked out. This can be done through discussions and without taking any rigid stand.” he observed that the Bodo Accord could not take off as visualised and said “we should take note of it.” Admitting that he was aware of the fact that despite the provisions of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulations, the government was not able to preserve the integrity of the tribal belts and blocks, the Governor said, “As in the case of illegal migration from Bangladesh into Assam, encroachments in tribal belts and blocks cannot be completely removed and the hands of the clock turned back.” Lt. Gen. Sinha announced that the Assam Government would make available land for setting up of a research centre for Bodo literary and cultural activities and also promised that every effort would be made to mobilise financial support for this institution. He assured that efforts would be made to get Bodo language recognised by the Sahitya Akademi and also to include in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. “I am hopeful the Bodo leaders of different groups will rise to the occasion in the interest of serving their people. Both senseless violence and political confrontation must be discarded in the larger interests of peace and prosperity of the Bodo people,” the Governor said.

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