Indefinite hunger strike demanding Bodoland

The indefinite hunger strike programme by All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and its movement group like Peoples Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM) and National Democratic Front of Boroland-Progressive(NDFB-P) demanding early solution to the demand for creation of Bodoland  state and ensure political rights of the Bodos living outside the proposed “Bodoland” area began from this morning in Kokrajhar  district.

Over 2000 activists started their hunger strike begun from 9 am this morning at Kokrajhar town near FCI godown ground along JD Road. Over 5000 people from various parts of the state also participated in the strike giving moral support to the movement. Leaders and members from different organisations,which included ABSU,NDFB(P),PJACBM,UPPL paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi(Mahandas Karamchand Gandhi) before sitting in the hunger strike in the morning.

The student union appeal the government to come forward to resolve the Bodoland issue on the basis of legitimacy, geographical convenience and administrative convenience as it includes the 32 tribal belts and blocks in the northern part of the Brahmaputra river.

The Bodo people will never be restive with the historical injustice meted out to them by the ruling cliques of Assam since the inception of administration after Independence of the country. After observing the dubious role of  Narendra Modi led BJP Government  for two and half years the movement organizations ABSU, NDFB(P) & PJACBM have completed 7 phases of democratic mass movement from August 30(2016) just to remind the government on the demand of policy decision on the long pending Bodo issue. The joint movement group of Bodoland state had organized 5-hours National Highway blockade on August 30(2016) followed by economic shut down, engine bandh, 12-hours railway bandh, torch rally and cycle rally till December 2 (2016) besides completed three days peaceful democratic movement in New Delhi, the National capital on the demnad of Bodoland state December 12-14 last.The joint movement group submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister of India through Deputy Commissioner,Kokrajhar seeking early solution of long standing demnad of Bodoland separate state.

‘Through this indefinite hunger strike  if nothing evolves, the joint movement groups will be compelled to declare the future course of vigorous democratic movement programmes,which included four hours Maha women dharnas at every district head quarters on March 24, 24 hours National Highways and Railway Blockade by the first week of April, Jail Bharo by end of April, non-Cooperation with the state and central govt. offices and followed by 100 to 1000 hours economic blockade and Assam bandh calls’,the ABSU said.

‘We appeal the government of India to solve immediately  come forward with a pragmatic policy decision on the Bodoland issue and political rights of Bodos in Assam’,the ABSU added.

Pramod Boro, ABSU president  said they demanded formal tripartite talks at the political level in presence of Union Home Minister at the earliest. He said the Bodos want to live as a part of the Indian community with dignity on their ancestral land under the provisions of the Indian constitution.

‘We want our identity with language and culture to be protected and ensured under the provisions of the Indian Constitution. A political decision should be taken to find an amicable solution to the issue’, he said. He said that ABSU and Bodo community as a whole will never tolerate but ready to intensify the movement of this kind of discriminatory decision which is going to deprive the community for their constitutional right and justice.

 He also said the course of action will depend on the attitude, sincerity and policy decisions of the government adding that they will continue the movement until and unless the map of Bodoland state is drawn in the geo-political map of India.He has warned to take mass vigorous agitation if their demands are not meet in earliest manner.

Dhiren Boro,president NDFB(P) demanded early creation of Bodoland state to gain good governance in the region. He has been stating that the Bodo people are being subjected to socio-economic exploitation, suppression, oppression and political domination, the Bodo groups have said that there is a threat of total extinction to the communit.

‘Even after 70 years of India's independence, the state has failed to protect, preserve and safeguard the land, identity, language and culture of the Bodo people. Bodo people are very much part of the great Indian community and are loyal to the constitution of India’, Boro said.