The Hindu : National : Submit demands to Centre, militants told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 28, 2006

National

National

Submit demands to Centre, militants told

Special Correspondent

Guwahati: The Assam Government has urged the militant outfit, National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) to submit its charter of demands to the Centre to facilitate negotiation on substantive issues. The State Government has also urged the Centre to initiate steps for accelerating peace parleys with the NDFB.

The State Government move came a day after violence rocked Bodo-dominated areas during a 24-hour bandh called by the militant outfit on April 25. One NDFB militant was killed while six others, including four Railway personnel, were injured in bandh-related violence. The NDFB had called for a bandh, demanding the release of eight of its cadres, arrested by the police on extortion charges.

Apart from an instance where a railway engine was torched at Rowtabagan in Darrang district and clashes between NDFB cadres and traders at the Sapatgram market in Dhubri district, there were also reports of bandh supporters torching trucks and vehicles, in which several persons sustained burn injuries.

The militant outfit, however, accused the police of killing one of its "unarmed cadres" at Sapatgram.

It alleged that the police shot the cadre from behind when the NDFB cadres were "peacefully requesting" traders to shut shops.

Refuting police claims, the NDFB said its arrested cadres were merely seeking donations. But, the police said action was taken "following a complaint from the recipient of an NDFB demand letter."

The Government on Thursday urged the NDFB cadres to adhere to the rules of the ceasefire agreement.

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