Bodos again for a separate homeland

Editorial, SNS, 30 October, 2016: The All Bodo Students’ Union is the first organisation that raised the demand for a separate homeland and has been spearheading the movement since the early 1980s. 
After being quiet for some years, it revived its agitation soon after the Centre announced the creation of Telangana. Since then, at regular intervals, it hits the streets and has done so even in Delhi. Even after two pacts with the Centre since 1993, the Bodos have not been able to govern themselves.
The February 2003 agreement with Dispur and the Centre for creation of an autonomous council floundered after eight years over the issue of demarcation of boundary and infighting among its leaders. LK Advani, as Deputy Prime Minister in 2003 persuaded Hagrama Mohilary who then headed a rebel group -- the Bodo Liberation Tigers -- to give up violence and accept autonomy under the Sixth Schedule, though it is meant only for tribals in the hills. Mohilary forgot his core demand -- a separate homeland -- and accepted the of

fer.
Today, after being part of the Tarun Gogoi government, he has allied with the BJP with the hope it will fulfill Bodos’ aspirations. He is not happy with autonomy because the funds for it are routed through Dispur.
Last week, Absu supporters disrupted the movement of trains for at least 12 hours. There is no likelihood of the Centre ever agreeing to its demand but it is important to maintain peace for the simple reason that all vital roads and rail links pass through the area. Any dislocation will have a disastrous effect on the economy of all the seven North-eastern states.