Our Correspondent
Kokrajhar: Former Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma and leaders of Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM) on Thursday welcomed the new development with the NDFB led by B. Saoraigwra to come to the mainstream to solve the decades-long problems through peace talk.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Brahma said it was an important development for the people of Assam that the complete team of NDFB(S) had deserted the Myanmar camp and returned to India for joining in the peace process. “A warm welcome to them from my side and I think that all sections of people also appreciate the Government of India and NDFB(S) leaders for having reached such an understanding for peace. Steps taken at the appropriate level for facilitating home coming of those militants by the government deserve high appreciation,” he said, adding that now the Government of India should ensure that the ongoing peace process reached a point of permanent settlement of the Bodoland issue.
Brahma said at this juncture he would appeal to all not to politicize the development just to take political mileage out of that, which might only jeopardize the peace process. Any kind of motivated campaigns about the development might affect the main goal of achieving peace, he said. He appealed to all sections of people, including organizations, groups, parties and individuals to come forward with an open heart to give peace a chance. He also said that this group of NDFB also should be accommodated within the parameter of ongoing peace process and broad-based agreement on the Bodoland issue should be done as soon as possible. The working president of the BJSM, DD Narzary also hailed the new development and said the Government of India would take all necessary initiatives for peace dialogue to find out a permanent solution. He said the returning of NDFB (S) from the jungle to sit for peace parley was a good sign and the government should also give positive gesture.
Narzary said several hundreds of innocent people had died in the armed struggle, many had been jailed, tortured badly, become physically handicapped, many were missing while many women were raped, molested and tortured over the years. The peace process with the insurgency groups would ensure lasting peace and rapid development in the region, he said adding that the governments of India and Assam should ensure safe passage and hold dialogue with them to solve their problems as early as possible.