Assam: NDFB Cadres Warns about Returning to Old Ways if Promises are Unfulfilled

GUWAHATI:

Ex-NDFB cadres have warned the Assam government that if promises made to them are not fulfilled on time, they will return to their old ways.

Former militant group cadres demanded adequate rehabilitation opportunities and said that the Assam government and BTC administration were indifferent to the execution of the Peace Accord between them and the government.

On Sunday, the Sonitpur District Ex-NDFB committee had an emergency executive meeting at the Khawla facility, which is part of the Dhekiajuli police station in the district near the Assam-Arunachal border.

Talking to media, the disgruntled ex-militant cadres said, "We seek proper rehabilitation opportunity as the Peace Accord. We will return to the path of arms struggle if the government does not offer us rehabilitation opportunities. We do not want a fruitless treaty." 

They further claimed that they were harassed by the Assam government and the BTC administration. 

"Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BTC Chief Pramod Boro talked big before the signing of the Peace Accord. But now Chief Minister Sarma uses the Boro people like toys," stated an ex-NDFB cadre. 

Dissatisfied NDFB cadres requested the quick release of its imprisoned leaders, notably Ranjan Daimary. They condemned the creation of the new armed organisation NLFB by certain Bodo youngsters. 

Ringshar Basumatary, Chairman of Sonitpur district Ex-NDFB Coordination Committee, said on Monday that both the BJP leadership at the Centre and the state had pledged to tackle their concerns during the signing of the peace deal. 

The demands include the release of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) Chief Ranjan Daimary and other cadres who are still imprisoned, rehabilitation of NDFB cadres, and ex-gratia to family members of NDFB cadres who have been slain, he added. 

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) planned to organise a series of recruiting rallies as part of the rehabilitation process, and the NDFB cadres are likely to be absorbed through this mechanism, according to Basumatary. 

"If the government is interested in solving the Bodo problem, in the true sense as per the spirit of the accord, they should immediately include Bodo villages of Sonitpur and Biswanath district within the BTR jurisdiction", he said. 

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