Ex-BLTWS threatens to withdraw support if BTR accord not implemented

KOKRAJHAR: In a fresh pre-poll warning, the Ex-BLT Welfare Society (Ex-BLTWS) outside BTC has issued warning to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to review its support if they fail to implement all the clauses of the BTR accord in letter and spirit before the 2024 parliamentary election.

Talking to this correspondent, the general secretary of Ex-BLT Welfare Society outside BTC, Bistiram Narzary said the BTR Accord was signed between the governments of India, Assam, ABSU, four factions of NDFB and United Bodo People’s Organization (UBPO) on January 27, 2020. Three years have passed but most of the clauses of the accord have not been implemented.

He said according to clause no 5.1 of the accord, creation of Boro Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council (BKWAC), allocation of fund for the development of 19 districts of Assam outside BTC, including part of Barak Valley, and provincialization of schools were part of the clauses but it only Rs. 13.50 crore has been released by the Government of Assam for development of BKWAC areas, which is not at all possible with such a meagre amount. He said as per clause 6.1, the Bodo medium schools outside BTC were not provincialized, teachers have not been appointed and as a result, Bodo medium schools outside BTC are yet to see improvement in education.

Narzary said the notification of villages of BKWAC and creation of constituencies in the council had not been done even after three years of the 3rd Bodo Peace Accord. He said the ex-BLT members were given an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each after BTC accord in 2003 but Ex-BLT members outside BTC districts are yet to receive this rehabilitation package due to the ‘pathetic attitude’ of the WPT&BC department of Assam. He also said that ST (H) status to Bodos of Karbi Anglong and many important clauses of BTR accord have not been implemented though the government led by BJP claims about implementing all clauses.

He demanded that the government must take effective action to notify villages of BKWAC and create constituencies to hold council election soon and fund should be enhanced to carry out development of people of 19 districts under BKWAC. He threatened that they will be compelled to withdraw support to BJP outside BTC if the government fails to take measure to implement all clauses of the BTR accord and issues of BKWAC before the 2024 Parliamentary election.

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