Pramod Boro-led five-member BTC Executive Council takes oath

* CM stresses development with collective responsibility

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: Five Executive Members (EMs) of the fourth BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) with Pramod Boro as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Gobinda Chandra Basumatary as the Deputy Chief Executive Member (Dy CEM) — both from the UPPL ((United People's Party Liberal) — took the oaths of office and secrecy in a grand swearing-in-ceremony held at the BodofaNwgwr Green Field here on Tuesday. Over one lakh people gathered at the venue to witness the ceremony.

The other three who took the oaths as EM were Gautam Das and Diganta Baruah (from the 'Bharatiya Janata Party') and Ghanashyam Das (from the 'Gana Suraksha Party'). The oaths were administered by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries. After the swearing-in ceremony, Pramod Boro on Tuesday has assumed his office as the CEM of BTC.

Earlier addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the combined team of UPPL, BJP and GSP will work with collective responsibility for the all-round development of the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region). Stating that the BJP will extend all help to the Pramod Boro-led new government in BTC, he hoped that the Executive Members will work with a holistic approach. He also said that the Pramod Boro-led Council will ensure the safety, security and equal development of all communities. He further called upon the BPF (Bodoland People's Front) president HagramaMohilary to extend help to PramodBoro for the development, peace and communal harmony among all sections of people in BTR.

"The BTC is a beautiful place with diverse cultures, traditions and faiths of various ethnic communities. It can be an attractive destination in the map of India and the world," said the Chief Minister, adding that the combined team of the new Council will work together for making the region economically vibrant. He said, "PramodBoro has a clear vision to establish a corruption-free government and end all militancy-related problems. Hence, all the factions of the NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) came forward to sign the third Bodo Accord. He further said that all communities should be given equal rights to live with dignity and honour.

Stating that the BTR is a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the CM said that both had assured the people of BTR during their visits to Kokrajhar to usher in a new era of development. He also said that the BJP-led State government has been working for the development of all people — be it in the Barak Valley and the Brahmaputra Valley as well as the Sar areas besides providing facilities to women, youths, widows and also members of the underprivileged communities.

The new CEM of BTC, Pramod Boro in his speech said that the Bodos had passed difficult times for long years and over 5,000 Bodo people lost lives for the cause of the Bodoland movement, adding that during that period their economy and education suffered setbacks. Hence, they now want a peaceful atmosphere and fast pace of development. He thanked the people for voting the new government to power in the BTR.

"I am not a neta (leader) but a person like all of you. I'm your beta (son) to serve you and usher in sustainable development for all," he said, adding that the new government will work to re-strengthen the economy and bring education back to track. "We have seen many leaders who talk about problems but never work to find out the way for solution," he said. He pointed out, "The masses used to think twice before travelling to Kokrajhar earlier due to various reasons. But now, it has become a peaceful zone. We will establish Kokrajhar as a peaceful city in India."

He also assured the masses that his government will bring drinking water facilities and improve road infrastructures especially in the northern belt which remained neglected in the past.

The meeting was also addressed by Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Minister Bhabesh Kalita, Karbi Anglong CEM Tuliram Ronghang, Dima Hasao CEM Debalal Garlosa, and also Tripura Minister Mewar Kumar Jamatia besides BJP State president Ranjit Kumar Dass, Lok Sabha MPs Dilip Saikia, Naba Kumar Sarania, Pallav Lochan Das, Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneswar Kalita, former Rajya Sabha MPs — Biswajit Daimary and U.G. Brahma, Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Taren Boro, and ABSU president Dipen Boro.

Earlier in the morning, CEM Pramod Boro paid floral tributes to Bodofa UN Brahma at his statue here, and the martyrs who had made the supreme sacrifice for Bodoland.

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