BTC not to get Union Territory Status under New Agreement, Says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, January 25, 2020:

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that no Union Territory (UT) will be formed in Assam with regards to the Bodo Peace Talks as had been rumored earlier.

Sarma, while addressing a press meet in Guwahati, said, “Assam will not be divided and no Union Territory will be formed here and this deal does not include any part of the Sonitpur district. These rumors that Rangapara, Dhekiajuli would be included in the UT have been rumored by a local newspaper and a TV channel…which are not based on facts.

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Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government, along with the central government was trying to venture into the Bodo Peace deal, which “only focuses on Assam’s unity. This accord will respect the unity of Assam and the territorial integrity of Assam will be preserved. No provision has been made to include new villages or areas under this deal. I request the people of Assam, especially the residents of Sonitpur, not to have any fears,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma.

He also expressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would not take any step against the Assamese. “Instead, this deal will be done only to maintain the unity of Assam,” he reiterated.

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While speaking to mediapersons, also said that the government was progressing very well in the Bodo front. On dreaded NDFB leader Ranjan Daimary’s interim bail of four weeks, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “no provision will violate the law of the land.” He was responding to the question if the NDFB leaders, who had been camping in Delhi, would get immunity after the peace deal. He said, “…when you will read the accord, you will see that no provision will violate the law of this land.”

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