GUWAHATI, Feb 16 � The Bodoland People�s Progressive Front (BPPF) today demanded that the Governor should take over the powers of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) before the notification for the elections to the council is issued.
In a memorandum to the Governor, JB Patnaik today, the BPPF expressed apprehension that the elections would not be free and fair if the same are held under the present office bearers led by Hagrama Mahilary.
The BPPF said that immediate steps should be taken to seize the illegally kept weapons from the militants and former militants and additional forces should be deployed in the BTC area for restoration of peace. The people have not forgotten the experience of the 2005 polls to the council and if the present council is not dissolved before holding of the ensuing polls, there is no chance of free and fair elections, the BPPF said.
The BPPF said that the Government should go for a major reshuffle of the police and civil administration officers right up to the grass root level before the polls to the council and neutral observers should be deployed in the area for the polls.
The BPPF also demanded that the elections to the council should be held after Rongali Bihu so that the people can enjoy the festival.
GUWAHATI, Feb 16 � The Bodoland People�s Progressive Front (BPPF) today demanded that the Governor should take over the powers of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) before the notification for the elections to the council is issued.
In a memorandum to the Governor, JB Patnaik today, the BPPF expressed apprehension that the elections would not be free and fair if the same are held under the present office bearers led by Hagrama Mahilary.
The BPPF said that immediate steps should be taken to seize the illegally kept weapons from the militants and former militants and additional forces should be deployed in the BTC area for restoration of peace. The people have not forgotten the experience of the 2005 polls to the council and if the present council is not dissolved before holding of the ensuing polls, there is no chance of free and fair elections, the BPPF said.
The BPPF said that the Government should go for a major reshuffle of the police and civil administration officers right up to the grass root level before the polls to the council and neutral observers should be deployed in the area for the polls.
The BPPF also demanded that the elections to the council should be held after Rongali Bihu so that the people can enjoy the festival.
