The goverement of India on Monday signed a peace accord with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Assam government to bring an end to decades-long statehood movement and bloodshed in Assam.
The peace accord has been signed to allow Bodo people economic and political benefits besides designated territorial region, which they have been demanding for over the years.
“Today the Centre, Assam government and Bodo representatives have signed an important agreement. This agreement will ensure a golden future for Assam and for the Bodo people,” said Home Minister Amit Shah.
Who are Bodo People?
Bodo is a group of militants in Assam, who will likely surrender on 30 January as now the accord has been signed and they have been designated an area called BTAD.
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“1,550 cadres along with 130 weapons will surrender on January 30…I want to assure all representatives that all promises will be fulfilled in a time-bound manner,” Amit Shah added while speaking at the singing.
BTAD spelled as Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD), which includes Chirang, Baksa, Kokrajhar, and Udalguri districts, will now be renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and will entertain administrative power.
The government has also said to open a central university in the name of late Bodo activist Upendra Nath Brahma and a national sports university, while also promoting industrial development, among other benefits.
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Also, the militants with clean records will be allowed to join the parliamentary forces. The family of those killed in the Bodo crisis will be given Rs. 5 lakh compensation.
What is Bodo Crisis?
Bodos are likely the earliest settlers of Assam, and ever since the 1960s, they have demanded a separate state for the community.
Later in the 1980s, the intensity of the demand for a sperate national – Bodoland – surged and turned into militancy with the rise of NDFB and Bodoland Liberation Tigers.
Waves of ethnic riots followed over the next decades which left thousands dead and displaced many more from their homes.
Nevertheless, with the signing of the peace accord, things in the northeastern region may get less intensified, which is the need of the moment citing China’s infamous attempts to cut off the Northeast region from India.
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The government has also set aside Rs. 1500 crore financial package for the Bodo people.
