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The Bodoland Territorial Area Districts celebrated the 17th Bodoland Day to mark the signing of the Bodoland Accord. The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is a territorial council that was established in the Assam state of India according to the Memorandum of Settlement on 10 February 2003. Hagrama Mohilary was sworn in as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) on 7 December 2003. Since then, he is scaling the Bodoland towards new heights.
As a tribute to the supreme sacrifice of martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause of Autonomy, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal handed over financial assistance in the form of cheque worth Rs. 5 lakh each to 20 martyr’s families at a function organized to celebrate 17th Bodoland Day at Kokrajhar. All together 2,624 martyr’s families will be given 5 Lakh each by the State Government in recognition to their supreme sacrifices which resulted in signing of Bodo Accord in 2003 between Government of India, Government of Assam and Bodo Libration Tiger.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal term the day as historic and paid his tributes to Upen Brahma and other martyrs. He added, that the government is considering in declaring a ‘State-level award’ in the name of Bodofa (Upendra Nath Brahma). He said that Kojkrajhar along with other areas had now become an epitome of peace and development. Since 2003, the BTAD areas witnessed unprecedented growth and development. Laying of the foundation stone for medical college, engineering college, Sainik School, Sport College and Forest College in different areas of four districts speak volume of development narratives being initiated in BTAD areas, he said. BTC has exemplified development which is evident from the infrastructural growth in different areas being unleashed for people belonging to different caste, class, community and ethnicity he added. Speaking on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and ST status to six communities, Sonowal said, some vested interest were spreading canards in the pretext of these issues to fulfill their ulterior motives. He also said, the six communities would be given ST status without disturbing the rights and privilege of the existing STs. He also added that his Government was committed to safeguard the interest of indigenous people of the State as the budget presented this year had made substantial allotment for the promotion, preservation and patronage of linguistic, cultural and education values of the indigenous communities of the State. Speaking on the development initiatives of the present State Government, Sonowal said that to bolster development, the Investment Summit held in Assam witnessed investment proposal worth Rs. 79,000 crore. However, within one year of the summit, expression of interest for Rs. 50, 000 crore had already been made. He also thanked BTC Chief Hagmara Mohilary and his colleagues for spearheading a peaceful ambience in BTAD areas which had also catalyzed in expediting the rate of development in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary greeted all communities living in the BTAD area for their extensive support to Bodo Accord and governance by the BTC administration so far. At the same time, he mentioned that it is because of the BJP-led government, that development and progress in this region has gained strong momentum for which he thanked the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Assam for their whole-hearted support and cooperation in all-round development of this region.
Reeta Kamble Rabha
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