HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, July 30: The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) observed the 29th Anti-Terrorism Day at Goybari near Basugaon in Chirang district of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Wednesday in solemn remembrance of its former president Jwhwlao Swmbla Basumatary, who was assassinated by extremists on this day in 1996.
The programme began with ABSU president Dipen Boro hoisting the students’ union flag at half-mast as a mark of tribute.
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The central observance took place at the martyr’s memorial, where Bhanumati Basumatary, wife of the late leader, led a floral and candle-light offering in his honour.
Thousands of ABSU members, students, and representatives of civil society took part in the event, which featured a human chain, a mass signature campaign, and the symbolic release of white doves and balloons to promote peace and unity and oppose terrorism.
Participants recalled the 1996 assassination of Swmbla Basumatary at Hatimatha village in Kokrajhar while he was serving as the central president of ABSU.
The event highlighted the sacrifices made by leaders of democratic student movements in the region and reiterated the organisation’s resolve to counter violence through peaceful means.
BTC Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro, Assam Cabinet Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, MLAs Lawrence Islary, Jiran Basumatary, and Nirmal Kumar Brahma, Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Dr Surath Narzary, ABSU general secretary Khanindra Basumatary, and BTC executive members were present at the programme.
In his address, CEM Pramod Boro urged the youth to uphold democratic values and reject extremism.
He stated that terrorism must never be allowed to defeat peace and progress and called upon the people to carry forward the ideals of leaders like Swmbla Basumatary who stood for justice and unity.
He said that terrorism and violence have no place in a civilised society and that the occasion was an opportunity to reaffirm collective commitment to harmony.
The day’s events concluded with a collective pledge to stand against terrorism and work toward building a peaceful society in the Bodoland region.
