GUWAHATI, April 7 � The All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and the All Bodo Students� Union (ABSU), in a joint resolution, have demanded that all government correspondence and signboards and hoardings, etc., must use Bodo, Assamese and English languages in the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) area.
�We have noticed with concern the serious lapses on the part of the government machinery vis-�-vis use of mother tongues in official correspondences and signboards, etc., in BTAD area. This has also caused misunderstanding among the masses as the authorities concerned did not take rectifying measures. We demand that the authorities ensure the use of Bodo, Assamese and English languages from now onwards,� the AASU and the ABSU said in a statement.
The two student bodies had a meeting over the issue at Tamulpur today.
The AASU and the ABSU also took strong exception to the recent move of the State Government to introduce English-medium government schools, and demanded that the move be rescinded at the earliest.
�The Government has done precious little over the decades to improve the infrastructure and teaching standards in the government-run vernacular schools. It is for the Government to ensure that the government-run vernacular schools prosper,� the statement said.
The two student bodies also called for provincialization of all Assamese and Bodo medium schools that had been given permission to open or those that had been recognized by the Government.
The AASU and the ABSU also expressed concern over the disturbing developments at Goreswar College and other adjoining areas, and urged the people to exercise restraint and maintain peace.
�The people of Assam have a history of peaceful coexistence, and we appeal to all to act in the best traditions of bonhomie and amity,� the statement said.
