HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, March 9: In a step towards rehabilitating 678 former NDFB members, cheques of Rs 4 lakh each were given away in Kokrajhar on Saturday.
The cheque distribution ceremony took place at the Bodofa Cultural Complex, Chandamari in Kokrajhar amidst a huge gathering.
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Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam cabinet ministers, Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Ashok Singhal, MPs Rwngwra Narzary, Joyanta Basumatary, BTR executive members,Ranjit Basumatary, Saikhong Basumatary, Sajal Singha, MLA Lawrence Islary, ABSU president Dipen Boro, additional DGP, Hiren Chandra Nath were graced the occassion,and handed over the cheques to the former members of the NDFB organisation.
In his speech, the CEM of BTR, Boro stated that the NDFB entered into ceasefire in 2005 looking for peaceful negotiation with the government of India. The Bodos started statehood movement since 1967 under the banner of PTCA. Later, the ABSU started democratic mass movement since 1987 while BLT and NDFB started arms movement.
“Where there is struggle, there is rebuilding and reconstruction of the community. Indians fought with the British and after Independence, rebuilding of India started,” Boro said.
He said that common people extended support to the ABSU, BLT and NDFB and many innocent villagers faced atrocity of security forces, some of them jailed and became martyrs.
“We are to think of pain and suffer of common villagers,” he said.
He mentioned that only 300 BLT cadres got rehabilitated in the last 17 years but within short time, over 4000 NDFB cadres have been given rehabilitation cheque through the spirit of the BTR Peace Accord clauses.
The government of BTR has decided to impart pre- training to ex-NDFB cadres to absorb in para-military forces, he said adding that the council government has written to the authority to absorb the youths in the Territorial Army.
This is the time of reconstruction, not for struggle, he said adding that the cases of non-heinous cases were being withdrawn while heinous cases were being examined and state government has been taking due initiatives. He also said the government of BTR had been extending support in dealing with withdrawal of cases.
“ I’m glad to attend the ceremonial distribution of Fixed Deposit Certificates (One-Time Grant) to 678 surrendered NDFB cadres at the Bodofa Cultural Complex, Kokrajhar—the City of Peace—in the presence of esteemed dignitaries. With today’s distribution, the total number of ex-cadres supported in their journey towards peace and dignity has risen to 4,881, building on the 4,203 who were previously assisted. This initiative marks a crucial step in ensuring sustainable livelihoods and successful rehabilitation, offering ex-cadres a renewed path towards a dignified and fulfilling future”, CEM Boro said.
In his speech, the ADGP (Special Branch) Hiren Chandra Nath said that 2403 cadres have been given rehabilitation grand and by giving fixed rehabilitation cheque of Rs 4 lakh each to 590 cadres, as many as 4881 members have been given rehabilitation grand of Rs 4 lakh each. He said the rehabilitation grand would be given from the fund of current financial year. He also said the BTC was a hot zone of militancy but after BTR accord in 2020 peace has prevailed in the region. He called upon all the ex-NDFB members to be part of the initiative of peace and progress of the government.
In his speech, the minister Ashok Singhal said NE region witnessed the significant transformation after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister of India in 2014 and his commitment to the people of the NE and the return of peace and development in BTC has also been a part of this initiative. He said no violence, killings, bomb blast took place in BTC but peace and progress were the agendas of BTC today where the chairman of the NLFT came to the programme to see the rehabilitation process of Assam. He called upon the government of BTR to take the advantage of Gelephu Mindfulness City project in Bhutan and create job opportunities to the unemployed youths.
The cheque distribution programme was also addressed by BTC EM Ranjit Basumatary and ABSU president Dipen Boro.
