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Bodo organisations call for end to mutual conflict

By Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Nov 22 � Forty three Bodo political and non-political organisations have finally constituted the Bodo National Conference to bring an end to mutual conflict and work unitedly for lasting peace in the area.

Talking to mediapersons after addressing the open session of the convention held in this regard recently, the uninimously selected chairman of the Bodo National Conference (BNC) Hagrama Mohilary said that from now onwards there will be no mutual conflicts, killings or atrocities among the Bodo people and also among those living in the area.

At the same time, he said that the Statehood demand is a long-standing issue and it is not for the State Government but the UPA Government to decide on the formation of a Bodoland State. He also appealed to one and all to abjure the path of violence and remarked that a few organisations like the BPPF which did not take part for some reason of the other in the convention will eventually turn to the BNC. He also made it clear that BNC is not a political party but a common platform which will take up issues relating to unity, peace and development of the Bodos without disturbing the common rights of other communities and without any biasness towards any political party.

He further said that BNC will address the concerns of Bodos not only inside BTC but also for those living in other parts of Assam and India as well as outside India.

As many as 11 resolutions were taken by the Bodo National Convention in the two-day programme which concluded on Friday, said Kampa Borgoyari, chief convenor of the said convention and the deputy chief of BTC. He said that with Hagrama Mohilary as the chairman, three others namely Anjali Daimary, president of Boro Women Justice Forum, Gobinda Basumatary, general secretary of NDFB(P) and Kampa Borgoyari as convenor along with one member from each of the 43 Bodo organisations as the executive committee of the BNC was formed. The meet also resolved to work for the solution of issues affecting the Bodo people, maintaining peace, unity and progress in the region and more specifically convince the Government and Ranjan Daimary, �C-in-C� of the �anti-talk� faction of the NDFB for talks for a permanent peace in the area, to expedite talks with ceasefire NDFB, to convince the Government that security forces must stop killing or harassing innocent Bodo people in the name of extremist activities, among others.

The convention also unitedly condemned the large-scale killings by the NDFB and urged them to shun the path of violence. At the same time he said that the convention did not discuss the issue of the map of proposed Bodoland comprising part of nine districts by NDFB (P) in their charter of demand which the NDFB (P) is about to discuss with the Government.

Addressing the open session, Govinda Basumatary, general secretary, NDFB (P) said that this is a beginning of a new chapter in the history of Bodos after more than three decades of struggle and there should not be any fear among the non-Bodos. He stressed that Bodos are now only responding to vibrant changes as �everything changes and change is truth�. He pointed out that the BNC will work towards achieving goals for the Bodo people.

Anjali Daimary, president of the Bodo Women Justice Forum said that it is time to demand justice and �There cannot be peace without justice� and also said justice is not given, but it has to be taken. She also reiterated about the UN rights of indigenous people for �self determination & self governance�. At the same time, she clarified that the non-Bodos should not get confused that that the united effort of the Bodos would jeopardise the rights of others. � It is a matter of living in coexistence,� she said.

Promod Boro, president of ABSU who attended the open session only on the last day without taking part in the delegates session, reiterated the need to focus on the separate statehood demand and abjuring the path of violence to ensure an environment of non-violence, peace and unity in the society. He also clarified that ABSU is in favour of the process of peace and unity and the organisational deliberations in the matter will be further taken up at the annual session of ABSU in January 2011.

Dr Kameswar Brahma, president BSS, SK Bwiswmuthiary MP, Chandan Brahma, among others also spoke on the occasion.

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