The Hindu : National : NDFB to demand Boroland liberation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 20, 2005

National

National

NDFB to demand Boroland liberation

Special Correspondent

``Talks with Centre will be based on our ideology''

GUWAHATI: The National Democratic Front of Boroland has said it will hold peace talks with the Centre on the basis of its original demand for a "sovereign Boroland." The ceasefire agreement between the NDFB and the Centre came into effect on June 1 for a period of one year.

"The principle and ideology of NDFB is liberation of Boroland, thereby to free the Boro nation. Our talks with the Indian Government will be based on the solid rock of our principle and ideology," NDFB secretary-general Govinda Basumatary told presspersons at Udalguri in Darrang district.

The NDFB will soon submit a "memorandum of settlement" to the Centre on the issue, he said.

Mr. Basumatary said that if the "legitimate demand" was turned down by the Centre, the NDFB would have no option but to resume its struggle. The NDFB considered the process of discussion "a part of the struggle" and that it is why it reciprocated when the Centre expressed its willingness to hold peace talks.

He said that in the greater interest of the Bodo people the outfit would try its best to have understanding with all Bodo organisations through communication and discussion to arrive at a consensus.

On Friday, senior Bodo leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Urkhao Gwra Brahma, welcomed the ceasefire agreement and appealed to the NDFB to take all sections of people into confidence while carrying forward the dialogue with the Centre.

About the offer of cooperation made by Hagrama Mahiliary, chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council,Mr. Basumatary said his organisation was ready to accept help and support from each and every Bodo irrespective of his rank.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National