BPPF demands graft probe BPF for inquiry into gherao - parties locked in war of words over saturday’s incident

Students gherao BPF legislator Pramila
Rani Bahma at the party office in
Kokrajhar on Saturday

TT, Kokrajhar, July 6: The Bodoland Peoples Progressive Front (BPPF) has sought governor J.B. Patnaik’s intervention to probe alleged corruption in the Bodoland Territorial Council administration and has demanded a CBI or any anti-corruption agency inquiry into it.

“We urged the governor of Assam to order a CBI inquiry to gauge the corruption in the BTC administration,” BPPF president Rabiram Narzary told reporters at the party office here in Kokrajhar today.

The BPPF demand came after yesterday’s incident when around 10,000 students from different parts of the district and neighbouring areas thronged the BPF party office to receive money that was allegedly promised by the party.

a vehicle and furniture set on fire by
the protesters. Pictures by UB Photos

“There is unlimited corruption in the BTC. There is no limit to the BPF leaders acquiring property and distributing money to the public openly.

The BPF leaders are indulging in unlawful activities and distributing money in villages as well. From where are they getting such money? Whose money is it and where has it come from? Is it black or white? These matters should be investigated through an anti-corruption agency. The governor should take the matter seriously and order a CBI inquiry,” he said.

The incident was followed by a gherao of local MLA and party vice-president Pramila Rani Brahma for over four hours and a ransack of the BPF party office later in the evening. The youths thronged the BPF party office and Bodofa Cultural Complex since 7am after a rumour spread that the party would distribute money to buy books.

Later in the day, the angry youths gheraoed Brahma, who went to the party office to try and pacify them.

The police were forced to use teargas and fire rubber bullets to disperse the mob.

The youths also went on a rampage, breaking chairs and damaging materials at the BPF party office here in the evening.

Twenty youths were picked up for the rampage.

Terming the development “not a good sign for society”, Narzary said society as a whole, guardians, leaders, organisations and individuals have to take responsibility.

Narzary also countered the allegation by a section of BPF leaders, including former transport and tourism minister Chandan Brahma, that the Opposition and some organisations had instigated the youths into vandalising property.

“Why should the Opposition instigate the youths? Somebody within the BPF has instigated them, as there are three to four groups in the party. It was clear after no one came forward to rescue party vice-president Pramila Rani Brahma who was gheraoed for over three hours. Where were the other party leaders then? Why did no one come to rescue her,” he asked.

The ruling Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) has smelt a political conspiracy into yesterday’s incident.

The party also demanded an inquiry into the incident.

MLAs Pramila Rani Brahma and Chandan Brahma demanded an inquiry into the false rumours spread among the students regarding the distribution of money to buy books.

The two alleged that there was a political conspiracy against the BPF, as the party is working for the welfare of the people in the region.

They said there was no policy and agenda of distributing money. They expressed concern over the incident and termed it as unfortunate situation. The party leaders urged the guardians and students not to believe in rumours.

Several organisations, including the All-Bodo Students Union and Bodo Sahitya Sabha strongly condemned the unruly behaviour of the students. Absu president Pramod Boro said the unruly behaviour of the students was condemnable.

Kamala Kanta Mushahary, the general secretary of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, also condemned the incident.

Grenade blast

Three persons were injured when unidentified goons lobbed a hand grenade at a garage, near Ballamguri bus stand, under Bijni subdivision in Chirang district around 3.15pm.

According to the police, the criminals came on a bike. The injured were identified as Polan Mondal, 70, Sujay Namo Das, 48, and Sujan Arjya, 17. They were rushed to Bijni civil hospital and are said to be out of danger. Another grenade exploded at No. 2. Betagaon, near the BPF party office, along the Bijni-Panbari road. No one was injured.

Police officials rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. The police suspect the hand of the NDFB (S) in the attack.