Assam: ABSU stages massive rally urging full implementation of 2020 Bodo Peace Accord

The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) on Wednesday, October 29 spearheaded a massive rally in Kokrajhar and simultaneously across 30 district headquarters of Assam, demanding the complete and timely implementation of the historic Bodo Peace Accord signed in 2020.

In Kokrajhar, the demonstration commenced from Bodofa Children Park, J.D. Road, and marched through the main town before concluding at the Government H.S. & M.P. School Playground. Hundreds of students, youth, and supporters joined the protest, holding placards and shouting slogans calling for justice and swift action on the promises made under the accord.

The rally sought to draw the attention of both the Government of India and the Government of Assam toward what ABSU described as “delayed execution” of crucial provisions of the agreement—pertaining to political, economic, and cultural empowerment of the Bodo community.

Key demands: 

Amendment of Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule in line with the 125th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019, during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, 2025.

Granting of Scheduled Tribe (Hill) status to Boro-Kacharis living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.

Full operationalisation of the Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council (BKWAC) through village notification, delimitation, and conduct of elections.

Provincialisation of educational institutions in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and Bodo-medium schools located outside it.

Inclusion of additional villages from Sonitpur, Biswanath, and southern parts of the BTR within its jurisdiction.

Protection of tribal land rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

Release of Rs 1,500 crore as a Special Development Package for infrastructural and socio-economic growth in the BTR.

Addressing the rally, ABSU President Dipen Boro stated that the demonstration was aimed at “pressurizing the Union Government for the immediate and full-fledged implementation of the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord.” He warned that if the government failed to respond positively, the movement would intensify across the Bodoland region and beyond.

As part of its continued agitation, ABSU announced a high-level seminar on November 20 with leaders of Sixth Schedule councils to deliberate on the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill. This will be followed by a dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on November 21, demanding that the Bill be passed during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament.

“The government must act decisively this session. Otherwise, the agitation will grow stronger and more widespread,” Boro cautioned.