PDMB set to launch Bodoland statehood movement; moves for mobilizing public

KOKRAJHAR: The People's Democratic Movement for Boroland (PDMB) has decided to mobilize the public to launch Bodoland statehood movement soon after discussing with like-minded former ABSU leaders. PDMB president Jebra Ram Mashahary rejected the BTR peace accord saying that the accord was not based on original demands of various armed groups and democratic organizations.

Talking to media persons at the PWD Guest House, Kokrajhar on Saturday, the president of the PDMB, Jebra Ram Mashahary said the BTR peace accord was signed in a hurried manner without proper consultation with all stakeholders. He said he was also involved in the drafting of the charter of demands of the NDFB prior to the peace accord but the original draft for settlement was lost by some leaders led by the then ABSU president Promod Boro and the new draft agreement excluded many important demands.

Mashahary said the PDMB had observed its 5th foundation day in the village of Barlawgaon under Bijni subdivision in the district of Chirang recently which was attended by more than 120 of its core members and more than 20 central executive committee members of the People's Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM).

Mashahary said after having discussion in the event, the organization resolved to fully support the resolutions adopted by the 'Special Convention of all former ABSU fraternity and Bodo civil society' held on march 8, 2020 at Kokrajhar to demand the Government of India to expedite the process of releasing all the leaders and cadres of former NDFB, including its founder D.R. Nabla, following the BTR peace agreement; to collectively and unitedly launch a series of village-to-village mobilization programmes in all the villages of the proposed separate state of Boroland to prepare and strengthen the forthcoming democratic and peaceful people's movement for achieving the long-pending separate state of Boroland; to demand the Government of India to withdraw the Governor's Rule imposed in BTC; and to hold the BTC election at the earliest for the best interest of the people of BTC.

In the event, Jebra Ram Muchahary, the president of the organization, hoisted its organizational flag accompanied by Hari Basumatary, the chief treasurer of the PDMB. The martyrs of the Boroland movement were paid rich floral tribute by the members led by Sushila Mushahary, the chief of the women wing of PDMB. An open discussion on the future of the Boroland movement was also held, which was inaugurated by Garjan Muchahary, the chief convener of PJACBM as keynote speaker and chaired by Jebra Ram Muchahary, the president of PDMB, to draw collective public opinion on the future action plan of re-launching the democratic and peaceful mass movement for separate state of Boroland, in coordination with the PJACBM and former workers and leaders of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) led by SK Bwisumuthiary.

Also watch: Morning Bulletin | 20th June. 2020