Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Demand to carve out Adivasi land from BTC

By Spl CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, July 10 � Even as the two warring factions of NDFB have stepped up their demand for a separate Bodoland, the Adivasi militant outfits on Tuesday called for creation of Adivasi land to be carved out of the BTC area.

A spokesman of the militant group told this newspaper that they forcefully argued their case before the Centre. The total population of BTC is around 30 lakh, out of which the Bodo population is estimated at 12 lakh and the Adivasi population is 9 lakh, he claimed.

The Adivasi militant outfits, five of which have ceasefire pacts with the Centre, plans to prepare a map of the proposed Adivasi land, he said.

On Tuesday, the Centre held the first round of tripartite dialogue with the representatives of five Adivasi militant groups. The talk today was presided over by Joint Secretary (North-east) Shambhu Singh and Joint Additional DG, Khagen Sarma.

The five militant groups included Adivasi National Liberation Army (ANLA), Cobra Military of Assam, Adivasi Peoples� Army, Birsa Commando Force and Santhal Tigers. The other major demand of the five outfits is Schedule Tribe (ST) status for the Adivasi community.

Kanhu Murmu, commander-in-chief of Cobra Military said they have cautioned the Centre about the Maoists making attempts to make inroads into Adivasi areas. The Centre should expedite the resolution of our demands before the Maoists succeed in their endeavour,� he said, adding that their cadres were getting restive over the delay.

Meanwhile, the five militant outfits sought Central intervention in the BTC area in the wake of palpable tension between the Bodos and non-Bodos.

The leaders later met officials of the Tribal Affairs Ministry at Shastri Bhavan.

Next Story