GUWAHATI, July 31 - The All Bodo Students� Union (ABSU) observed the 20th Anti-Terrorism Day on July 30 at Jwhwlao Swambla Fwthar in Goibari near Basugaon in Chirang district.
The programme started with flag hoisting and floral tributes paid to late Swambla Basumatary, former president of ABSU, who was killed by terrorists on July 30, 1996.
Pigeons were ceremonially released on the occasion as symbolic of peace. The memorial lecture was chaired by Pramod Boro, president of ABSU.
Addressing the gathering, he said that terrorism is an inhuman act and it should be eliminated to protect humanity around the world. �India is the land where a great soul like Mahatma Gandhi was born and it is the duty of all to uphold the principles of non-violence. We need to condemn terrorism or any sort of violence that is perpetrated by the anti-nationals,� said Boro, adding that the ABSU believes and has been practising non-violence since inception. We condemn all sorts of terrorism as it is against humanity.
He urged the Government to create space for dialogue and negotiation so as to stop armed conflicts in the region as counter-insurgency operations or killings will not bring sustainable solutions to any problem.
�There are different forms of terrorism and it must be looked into critically to bring solutions as it has spread around the world in different ways. People must be educated to combat terrorism�, said UG Brahma, former MP of the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to mediapersons when asked whether she got justice or not, Bhanumati Basumatary, wife of late Swambla Basumatary said that she is not asking for justice, but wants sustainable peace in the society along with an acceptable solution to the present movement of the ABSU.
There was a signature campaign to raise people�s voice against terrorism, which was signed by different individuals and representatives of various organisations.
ABSU has been observing Anti-Terrorism Day since 1996 after Swambla Basumatary, the then president of ABSU, was killed by terrorists.
