New student body revives Bodoland statehood demand

Bodo National Students’ Union submits memorandum to PM Modi

A new students’ union has revived the Bodoland statehood demand that is said to have ended with the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in January 2020.

The Bodo National Students’ Union (BoNSU) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Kokrajhar district head, demanding a separate State for the Bodo people.

The union was formed in February this year.

BoNSU president Bonjit Manjil Basumatary said the Bodos are largely dissatisfied with the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) as it is not designed to fulfil their aspirations.

“Only the creation of a separate Bodoland State will fulfil the dreams of the Bodo people. The indigenous people are becoming guests in their own backyard due to the failure of government to protect their lands,” he said.

Without a separate State, it would not be possible to protect the land, identity, economy, culture and language, he added.

“Apart from creating the Bodoland State, the Centre should fast-track the raising of a Bodo regiment in the armed forces, the implementation of the UN declaration of rights of the indigenous people and the inclusion of Bodos living in the hills in the Scheduled Tribe list,” Mr. Basumatary said.