Guwahati, Jan 31: Several people belonging to non-Bodo community on Monday staged protest against the inclusion of 60 villages of Assam in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
People burnt tyres on street against the inclusion of a Gohpur village in BTR. The protesters blocked the National Highway and raised slogan against the decision.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the Republic Day celebrations said the government had decided to include villages which have at least 80 percent Bodo population in the BTR.
“There can be no hindrance as far as inclusion of Bodo villages in BTR is concerned. If Bodo villages get included in BTR than there is nothing to oppose,” Sarma had stated.
After the announcement by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, protest started in several parts of the state demanding to withdraw the decision.
“We are against this decision. We do not want to (be) included in BTR. How can the government take such decision, which is against the will of the people. We demand withdrawal of the decision. If they fail to withdraw the decision then we will intensify our protest,” said a protester.
Altogether, 60 villages in Dhekiajuli, Behali, Sootea, Gohpur, and Biswanath with 80 per cent or more Bodo population will be included in BTR. It is a part of the govt’s commitment to implement the Tripartite Bodo Accord signed in January 2020 for permanent peace in the Bodoland region.
On January 28, a 12-hour Sonitpur bandh was called by two students’ organisations in protest against the Assam government’s decision to include Bodo-majority villages in the Bodoland Territorial Region.
