KOKRAJHAR, Dec 24 - The All Bodo Students� Union (ABSU) in its 52nd annual convention strongly opposed implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord 1985 in its present form and also opposed the move of granting ST status to six communities of Assam. The three-day annual convention, which was held at Serfanguri, concluded yesterday evening.
The ABSU while clarifying its stand said that Clause 6 of the Assam Accord of 1985 in its present form is meant for the Assamese-speaking community alone and therefore it would be acceptable only if rectifications are made at the appropriate level to include safeguarding of all the ethnic and tribal communities of Assam, otherwise it is unacceptable.
The ABSU also resolved that granting ST status to six communities will disturb the rights and privileges of the existing small and marginalised tribal groups under the spirit of the Constitution ST Order 1950 for which any attempt to provide ST status to these six communities is also unacceptable.
In another resolution, the ABSU urged the Government of Assam not to impose Assamese language on the Bodo medium schools of Assam and also for Bodo students studying in other medium schools upto Class- X level, but to continue the three-language formula in schools instead of four languages as per the draft National Policy 2019.
At the same time, it also reiterated its demand for the creation of a separate directorate of education for Bodo-medium institutions to address the grievances of Bodo-medium institutions, including appointment of teachers, supply of textbooks for Bodo-medium schools, etc. This is apart from its mission for quality education for implementation, and most importantly, to include Bodo language as one of the official languages in Assam.
The ABSU in its 52nd annual conference demanded that consultation be held with the CCTOA on the new land policy of Assam before placing it in the Legislative Assembly, in which the land rights of forest dwellers should be focused on.
The ABSU further urged the Government of India to immediately resolve the long-standing demand for Bodoland state. The convention also resolved to continue its vigorous mass movement if the government shows reluctance to address the issue, including hill tribe status to the Bodos living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
At the same time, it urged the government to negotiate with the Bodo armed groups such as the NDFB (P) and NDFB for a peaceful negotiation.
Among others, the ABSU also resolved to accelerate social action measures for various issues through the Bodofa Mission for sustainable change, empowerment of women in the region, formation of farmers� organisations for agro-economic development of the farmers, opposing high voltage power grid, gas or water pipeline through the tribal land and sub-plan areas to avoid land acquisition by the government, besides declaring March 31, the birthday of UN Brahma as �Student�s Day� and naming the second bridge over the Brahmaputra at Jalukbari in Guwahati as �Thengphakri�.
However, ABSU welcomed the government�s decision to create autonomous and development councils for various ethnic communities of the State.
Earlier, the session was chaired by Promod Boro, president of ABSU. Professor Kamal Malla Buzarbaruah, former Vice Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University attended the session as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he said for a new economic policy, all-round development of Bodoland is the need of the hour. He lauded the initiative of ABSU for overall development and progress of the students.
The Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Hitendra Nath Goswami while attending the session as special invited guest urged everyone to resolve the present crisis around CAA through discussion. He highlighted the urgency of ushering in peace and harmony among the people for the greater development of the State. He also urged the students� community to adopt an attitude of assimilation. Goswami also assured to place the demands of ABSU at the proper platform for necessary measures.
The session was also attended by Taran Boro, BSS president, Aditya Khaklary, CCTOA, former RS member UG Brahma, Dr Anjali Daimary, president of BWJF, Gobinda Chandra Basumatary, president of NDFB (P), among others.
