HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Dec 18: The Opposition United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has reiterated its demand for the full and effective implementation of all clauses of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Peace Accord, including the inclusion of Bodo-Kacharis under Scheduled Tribe (Hills) status and other pending provisions.
A UPPL delegation led by party president and former chief executive member of BTR, Pramod Boro, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his official residence in New Delhi on Thursday.
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The meeting was described by the party as significant and productive, focusing on long-pending issues related to the implementation of the BTR Accord signed on January 27, 2020.
During the interaction, the delegation urged the Home Minister to ensure full implementation of key clauses of the accord.
These included Clause 4.3, which relates to the 125th Amendment to Article 280 of the Constitution; Clause 3.1, concerning the inclusion of tribal villages within the BTR; and Clause 6.1, which seeks the inclusion of Bodo-Kacharis under Scheduled Tribe (Hills) status.
Other related issues impacting the socio-political and economic development of the region were also raised.
The UPPL leaders recalled that at the time of signing the historic BTR Accord in 2020, the Union Home Minister had assured all necessary support for its timely and effective implementation.
They stressed that fulfilling the commitments of the accord in letter and spirit is essential to ensure peace, stability and inclusive development in the Bodoland region.
According to UPPL sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the delegation of all possible support from the Centre for the speedy and effective implementation of the BTR Accord.
The delegation comprised Rajya Sabha MP Rwngwra Narzary, Lok Sabha MP Joyanta Basumatary, MLAs Lawrence Islary, Jolen Daimary and Bhupen Boro, UPPL general secretaries Raju Kumar Narzary and Madhab Chandra Chetry, and MCLAs Dhananjay Basumatary, Wilson Hasda and Mantu Boro.
Speaking after the meeting, UPPL president Pramod Boro said the discussion with the Union Home Minister was meaningful and focused on ensuring that all clauses of the BTR Accord are implemented fully.
He said the party appealed to Amit Shah to take decisive initiatives to honour the commitments made under the accord.
Boro added that the UPPL remains committed to ensuring equal rights, opportunities and dignity for all people in the BTR and beyond through comprehensive and sustainable development, rooted in the full realisation of the peace accord.
