Violence looms large in Bodoland

Kokrajhar, Apr 8 (UNI) The Hagrama faction of the Bodo Peoples Political Front (BPPF), which has the support of ex-BLT militants, today alleged that National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants were threatening their supporters at gun point.

BPPF (H) President Hagrama Mohillarry, who is also the Chief Executive Member of the BTAD, today told newsmen that he had received report that NDFB cadres had been openly siding with Rabiram Narzary faction of the BPPF.

The Bodo Society is broadly divided into two groups with BPPF (H) having the backing of the former Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) militants and Rabiram Narzary faction of BPPF having the support of all others from ABSU to NDFB.

The NDFB, however, has denied any such act and through its Secretary General Gobinda Basuamatry it said that they would stay away from poll process.

The Election Commission (EC) has not taken any chance and sent additional forces as Bodoland areas will be the most difficult areas during the poll day and full-scale violence is expected.

The Hagrama faction bulldozed their way into the BTAD in last election not allowing Rabiram supporters to vote freely. This time with the security tightened, the things have turned against him and now Rabiram faction is having an advantage.

The NDFB control vast area and if they wish to interfere, electioneering is near impossible in at least 25 constituencies along the Indo-Bhutan border. "But we will not. We believe in cease-fire. We do not believe in these elections. We have asked our cadres not to support any party and even independent candidates should not be supported," said Mr Gobinda Basumatary.

It is common fact that NDFB does not go along well with the ex-BLT, who are now at the helm of affairs, and hence the latter is forcefully staying away from the election avoiding any conflicts that may mar the whole peace process. There are three designated camps in the Bodoland, each of them housing about 60 cadres. They are in Serphagnguri in Kokrajhar district, Borbori in Baska district and here in the Udalgiri district near the Indo-Bhutan boundary.

The third battalion coordinating with Gothal Rabha as Commandant has been keeping a vigil from behind along with Ranjan Daimary, Chairman and Supremo of NDFB, towards the development of peace process," said Mr Basumatary.

The NDFB has about 1000 highly trained cadres of them six are women and their list have been handed over to the Union Government as part of the peace process.

The NDFB has been demanding a sovereign Bodoland but indications are there that they may scale down their demand to a separate state or union territory. The Bodos have already got the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) and through a proper election it has been running smoothly, bringing much needed peace to the volatile area. But the NDFB wants more than an autonomous council.

They have, however, kept the cadres under their control. "We are now engaging them more into agrarian activities. We are not interested for any government money. The designated camps are being run by the donations of the public. We strongly refuse the allegation that we are into extortion," he said.

UNI