NDFB rehabilitation process initiated, says IGP (SB) of Assam Police Hiren Nath

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The IGP (Special Branch) of the Assam Police, Hiren Nath on Sunday said that the rehabilitation process of the members of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) belonging to four factions has been initiated, and the process would be completed by September.

This, the IGP said, is possible with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma taking all measures to rehabilitate them as per the spirit of the BTR Accord.

Talking to media at Kokrajhar on the sidelines of the inaugural function of 'skill development for self-employment of youths of the BTR and other parts of Assam' organized jointly by Assam Police and State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development at Bodofa Cultural Complex in Kokrajhar on Sunday, the IGP (SB) said that the process for the complete rehabilitation of all NDFB members was being done, and the verification of members submitted by different factions was going on but unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic had delayed the process. He said that as many as 1,429 cadres of the NDFB had already been given Rs 4 lakh each in their account as part of rehabilitation and the Government of Assam had already earmarked an amount of Rs. 160 crore for the complete rehabilitation.

Nath said there would be a special pre-recruitment drive for the NDFB members to absorb them in different paramilitary forces. If the members are found to be fit and fulfil the required criteria for the paramilitary forces, they will be absorbed in various units and other members who do not fulfil the criteria and are not fit for the forces, will be rehabilitated by giving alternative jobs after giving training on skill development, he said, adding that the cases pending against them, be it heinous or non-heinous, will be withdrawn in a phased manner. He also said that the Chief Executive Member of BTC, Pramod Boro had already met and held discussion with the higher-ups of the Army, CRPF, BSF, CISF and the Assam Police in Guwahati on Saturday to find out ways for absorption of the NDFB cadres in their units.

The CEM of BTC, Pramod Boro said that the clauses of the BTR Accord were being implemented one after another. He said that the NDFB members wanted government job as the first option and self-employment through skill development in diverse fields for the cadres who were unfit and did not fulfil criteria as the second option. He hoped that the founder president of the outfit, Ranjan Daimary would be released as soon as possible.

The inaugural function was also addressed by EM Ranjit Basumatary and MLA Lawrence Islay while Principal Secretary of BTC, Shantanu P Gothmare gave the keynote address.

Also Read: Ex NDFB Members Demand Assam Government for Proper Rehabilitation