BPPF(H) demands implementation of Bodo Peace Accord

Guwahati, May 13(UNI): A day after it raised the demand for at least four portfolio in Congress-led Asom ministry including that of the Deputy Chief Minister, the Bodoland People's Progressive Front (Hagrama) today scaled down its demand and put precondition of implementation of Bodo Peace Accord, 2003 in toto for its continuous support to Congress.

Talking to newspersons in presence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and AICC leaders Ms Mohsina Kidwai, Digvijay Singh and Chandan Bagchi, the BPPF(H) leader Hagrama Mohilary said, '' Ministerial portfolios are not as important for us as the total implementation of Bodo Accord is. We agree to lend support to the Congress-led government in Asom provided the latter takes care of implementation of the accord, as much as possible, within the next five years.'' The leader of the BPPF (H), which is now ruling the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District Council (BTADC), said the government should give top priority to withdrawal of all cases pending against the former militants of the now disbanded Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) as well as All Bodo Students Union (ABSU).

The BPPF(H), an off-spring of the BLT and the ABSU, was formed after the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in 2003 between the BLT and the Government of India.

The BPPF leader said the government should ensure rehabilitation of former BLT militants as per the Accord provisions, give ST status to Bodo people living in Karbi Anglong hill district of the state and take steps to provide equal status to Bodo tribal people living in all other tribal autonomous councils in the state.

Chief Minister designate Tarun Gogoi said, '' Let us first take the oath of office. We are going to work together and you see how we succeed in solving all problems one by one.'' UNI XC KK DB1856