UBPO demands introducing BKAC Bill during next Assembly session

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The United Bodo People's Organization (UBPO), which has been working for the socio-economic development of the Bodo-Kachari people living outside BTC, including their political and constitutional rights, has insisted on the urgent need of introducing the Bill for creation of Boro Kachari Autonomous Council (BKAC) during the next Assembly session.

Talking to this correspondent, the president of the UBPO, Mihiniswar Basumatary said that as part of Clause-V of the BTR accord signed on January 27, 2020 between the Government of India, Government of Assam and stakeholders of four factions of NDFB, ABSU and UBPO, the BKAC would be created for the Boro Kachari people living outside the existing BTC region. But the State Government was yet to introduce the bill in this regard, he said.

He added that bills for creation of Kamatapur Autonomous Council (KAC), Moran Autonomous Council (MAC) and Motak Autonomous Council (MAC) had already been introduced in the last budget session in March while the bill for BKAC had been left out. He said the State WPT&BC Minister Chandan Brahma had told them that the modalities of BKAC had been framed but now there were doubts whether the State Government had actually worked out the modality of the new council. He urged upon the Sarbananda Sonowal-led State Government to introduce the bill for BKAC in the ensuing assembly session to translate Clause-V of the BTR accord into reality.

Meanwhile, the general secretary of the UBPO, Anil Basumatary said the organization would observe its 7th foundation day on July 18. The respective district committees in 21 districts of Assam and the central committee would observe the day at Gorchuk in Guwahati. He said the prime objective of the UBPO was to work for the socio-economic development and protection of the political and constitutional rights of the Boro Kachari people living outside BTC areas. He said the organization had been demanding the creation of BKAC outside BTC for Boro Kachari people and accordingly, the Government of India had ensured the creation of new council and included Clause-V in the BTR accord. He also said that there was urgent need of introducing the bill for the formation of BKAC in the State Assembly.

He said the UBPO will discuss the issues of BKAC and other local problems during the foundation day programme. He called upon all intellectuals, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, to extend their suggestion for creation of BKAC and addressing local issues. He also asked all the workers of the UBPO to extend a helping hand to the people who had been affected by flood. He further called upon the Government of Assam to extend financial help/ex-gratia to the flood-affected people.

Basumatary expressed serious concern over the rift among the Bodo leaders in BTC region. He said the mushrooming of web media and YouTube channels had become a major cause of concern as most of the channels on social media never maintain the ethos of the fourth pillar of democracy. He said that the unethical reports on social media had widened the split and confusion among the Bodo leaders.

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