Assam: Demand for release of NDFB members and full implementation of BTR Accord intensify

With the 5th BTR Accord Day fast approaching, demands have escalated for the release of 66 former National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) members currently incarcerated in Guwahati Central Jail. These calls are being made in parallel with urgent appeals for the immediate and comprehensive implementation of the unresolved aspects of the Bodo Territorial Region (BTR) Peace Accord, signed on January 27, 2020, by the NDFB factions, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), the United Bodo People’s Organization (UBPO), and the Union Government.

At a press conference held in Bodofa House, Kokrajhar, Dipen Boro, President of ABSU, reiterated the importance of timely action on the third Bodo Accord. "We want peace to remain intact in Bodoland, and that can only happen if the agreement is fully implemented," Boro emphasized. The ABSU has been vocal about the need for completing the pending provisions of the Accord to ensure long-term peace and development in the Bodoland region.

The celebrations for the 5th BTR Accord Day are scheduled for January 27, 2025, at the sports ground of Kashikotra Higher Secondary School in Chirang district, Assam. The event, organized by ABSU, is expected to see the participation of key political figures, including BTC Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro, Members of Parliament Rwngwra Narzary and Jayanta Basumatary, and BTC Deputy Chief Gobinda Basumatary, among others. Approximately 3,000 representatives from national Bodo organizations are anticipated to attend.

A major highlight of the day will be an interactive session dedicated to "Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma and the Dream for Building a Vibrant Bodo Community." This session will pay tribute to the legacy of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, a central figure in the Bodo movement, and explore his vision for a prosperous Bodo community.

While the upcoming event is a significant moment of reflection and celebration, it is also marked by ongoing concerns over the unfulfilled aspects of the BTR Accord and the continued detention of NDFB leaders. These issues remain at the forefront of discussions, as local leaders and activists continue to push for swift resolution to ensure lasting peace and prosperity in the region.