Even as the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) is waiting for the Government to formally announce the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) today announced the formal withdrawal of its 16-year old separate state movement and vowed to play the role of a watchdog.ABSU president Rabiram Narzary, while announcing this decision at the concluding session of the Union, said the student body would continue to be vigilant and not tolerate any laxity in implementation of the accord signed on last Monday. ‘‘ABSU is committed to work for the development of Bodos. We will stand vigilant so that the accord is implemented in letter and spirit and ensure that no fund is misused,’’ Narzary, who has been elected ABSU president for a second term, said.Seeking to allay fears of the non-tribal people living in the proposed Council, he said the accord had adequate provisions to safeguard their rights. ‘‘This accord has provided for amendment of the Sixth Schedule, which will ensure reservation of seats for non-tribals also,’’ Narzary said.Another senior Bodo leader and Rajya Sabha member Urkhaw Gwra Brahma said while other Sixth Schedule states and districts in the N-E did not have reservation for non-tribals, the week-old Bodo accord is the first to have ensured such reservation. Brahma, a former ABSU president, urged the Government to publicise this aspect of the accord so that fears of the non-tribals are dispelled. ‘‘This is the best possible accord the BLT has signed and it will contribute towards all-round development of the Bodos,’’ he said.Meanwhile, over one lakh Bodos from all over Guwahati as well as other states of N-E poured into Maidangshree Nwgwr, seven km from Kokrajhar, to celebrate ABSU’s victory procession. The Bodos haven’t achieved a separate state, but ‘‘the best possible under the present situation,’’ said Brahma. The event reminded one of March 23, 1986, when ABSU gave the first call for a separate Bodo state.
