5,000 Died, 20,000 Jailed, But Bodos Have Received Nothing: Pramod Boro

Chirang, September 10, 2019:

The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) leader Pramod Bodo on Tuesday reiterated the demand of the Bodos for 'justice' by creating a separate Bodoland state.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, Bodo said, "Some 5,000 Bodos died during the Bodoland struggle. 20,000 were jailed, and many are still rotting there. However, their sacrifice has been in vain. Bodos have given blood for nothing, whereas the people of Ladakh, for instance, never demanded a separate state or Union Territory, yet their needs were fulfilled by the Centre."

Speaking on the sidelines during a massive rally demanding a separate state Bodoland in Chirang, he said, "We have been voicing out for justice for so many years now. We tried to make the State and Central Governments understand our needs, but we feel the policies taken by the Government recently are done in a half-hearted way", said Pramod Bodo.

READ MORE: Assam ‘Bandh’ Called on 12 September by Rajbongshi Community to Protest NRC

Referring to the martyrs of the Bodoland Movement, the ABSU leader said that "some have given blood and received nothing, while some have given nothing and received everything."

He said that the Government has neglected the Bodoland statehood demand, which is older than even Telangana's, which recently ceded from Andhra Pradesh. "Our demand started in 1967, while Telangana's began in 1969. Telangana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, every problem was solved. Despite opposing J&K's bifurcation, it was split and 2 UTs were formed", he said.

READ MORE: Separate State ‘Bodoland’ Demand Gains Momentum, Massive Protest in Chirang

"We have been demanding peace and security in terms of our language, culture, and employment, we want a new State, we want development. Indian Government should take measures to solve NDFB issues. They should quicken the discussions with them through Interlocutor. Justice should not be delayed", said Bodo.

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