34th death anniversary of Bodoland Movement martyr Sujit Narzary observed
OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and Tourism department of BTC on Saturday observed the 34th death anniversary of martyr Sujit Narzary, the first martyr of Bodoland movement, as Bodoland Martyrs' Day in different places.
The ABSU observed the day at the tomb of Sujit Narzary in his native village Bhatipara near Kokrajhar. The president of ABSU, Dipen Boro hoisted the organizational flag at half mast while father of Sujit Narzary paid floral tribute. The Tourism department of BTC observed the day at Bodoland Martyrs' Cemetery at Debargaon where minister UG Brahma paid rich floral tribute along with BTC EMs, MLA, MCLAs and other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, minister UG Brahma said that Sujit Narzary was the first martyr of the Bodoland movement who lost his life on this day in 1987 at Tihu Chok in Barpeta district when the bus in which they were returning from a grand mass rally of ABSU in Guwahati's Judge's Field came under attack by a group miscreants. He said that the Bodos had witnessed democratic mass movement of ABSU and armed movement by BLT and NDFB and thousands of lives had been lost for the creation of Bodoland. He said that the Bodos did not want more and more martyrs in the name of movement but a peaceful and pragmatic solution for all-round development. "The society needs peaceful atmosphere, an arms-free society and a society free from drugs," he said, adding that the martyrdom of Sujit Narzary had brought a spirit of unity for justice.
Brahma said that there was increase in the consumption of drugs and alcohol in the society by youngsters which needed to be dealt with firm hands. He said that the society should emphasize on quality education. He also cautioned that a group of misguided youths who had reportedly gone back to the jungle must return to the society.
Minister UG Brahma, BTC EMs, MLAs and leaders of various organizations also paid floral tribute at the statue of Bodofa UN Brahma in front of the BTC Secretariat, Bodofa Nwgwr, Kokrajhar.