Assam govt rules out reports of new districts to be set up as part of Bodo Peace Process
GUWAHATI | Jan 25:
The Assam Government has clarified that a Union Territory would not be formed by curving out areas of the state. It added that new villages would also not be included in the Bodoland Territorial Council area.
Talking to news persons in Guwahati, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ruled out media reports that new districts would be set up as part of the Bodo peace process. The Minister said that Centre has already clarified that territorial integrity of Assam would be preserved.
It was reported that the Center may sign a tripartite agreement with all factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on January 27. Sarma has announced that groundwork is being prepared to sign a new Bodo accord soon.
On Thursday, all central committee members of B Saoraigwra-led NDFB (S), including the wanted rebel leader G Bidai, reached national capital for negotiations with the Centre. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has placed G Bidai on its most wanted list.
The NDFB(S) had, on January 16, signed a tripartite agreement, over suspension of operations, with the central and state governments. As per the agreement, the NDFB(S) will give up violence and join peace talks with the government.
Over 50 active members of NDFB(S), including its President B Saoraigwra, returned from Myanmar on January 11 to join the peace process. Later, two other top leaders of the outfit, G Bidai and B Batha also expressed their desire to join the process and reached Kokrajhar on January 22.
Meanwhile, founder president Ranjan Daimary, alias DR Nabla, who got interim bail from the Gauhati High Court on Friday will join the peace process in New Delhi.
