Criteria for separate statehood yet to be fulfilled:  Hagrama Mohilary

Guwahati, January 3, 2019:

Welcoming the Cabinet Committee’s decision, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary on Thursday expressed his satisfaction over the Central Government’s moves such as approval of a Bodo Museum-cum-language and cultural study centre, modernisation of the existing All India Radio station and Doordarshan Kendra at Kokrajhar and naming a superfast train passing through Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) as ARONAI Express.

Addressing the media in New Delhi, when asked about separate statehood, Mohilary said, “We have never said that we don’t want it and if the government agrees to it, it will be good for the people. But the criteria required for the formation of a separate state, such as industries and infrastructure, are yet to be fulfilled.”

The BTC chief also expressed his dismay over refusal of ST status to the six indigenous communities of Assam who are seeking it.