Context:
The Government has recently signed a Peace Accord withNational Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) to resolve Assam's Decades-old Bodo Issue.
What is the Bodo Accord?
- As per the accord, 1,550 militants belonging to the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)will lay down their arms.
- An economic programme of Rs 1,500 crore will be implemented in the next three years with equal contribution of Rs 750 crore each from the central and state governments.
- The existing structure of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) will be strengthened with more powers and its seats will be expanded from 40 to 60.
- A commission will be set up for inclusion of Bodo dominated villages in the BTC and exclusion of those where Bodos are not in majority.
Whoare the signatories of the accord?
- In the presence of Union Home Minister, the tripartite agreement was signed by Assam Chief Minister, top leadership of the four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland(NDFB), All Bodo Students Union(ABSU), Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry and Assam Chief Secretary.
- National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) is one of the dreaded insurgent groups of Assam, demanding a separate state or Union Territory.
- The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), has been spearheading a movement for a Bodoland state since 1972.
Where is Bodo land spread?
- Bodo land is an autonomous region in the state of Assam.
- It made up of four districts on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river, by the foothills of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. These district are: Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri.
- The region is predominantly inhabited by the indigenous Bodo people and other indigenous communities of Assam.
When were other accords were signed?
- The first Bodo accord was signed with the All Bodo Students Union in 1993.
- This led to creation of a Bodoland Autonomous Council with limited political powers.
- In 2003, the second Bodo accord was signed with the militant group Bodo Liberation Tigers.
- This led to formation of a Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with four districts of Assam -- Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baska and Udalguri -- called Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD).
Why was this accord signed?
- The demand for a separate state for the Bodos has been going on in Assam for about five decades and several Bodo overground and militant groups raising it leading to agitations, protests, violence and many deaths. Such incidences will now be prevented.
- It will bring permanent solution to the decades-old problems of the Bodo people.
How will this accord bring peace?
- The accord will lead to transformative results for Bodos as it successfully brings together leading stakeholders under one framework and would help Bodo people get access to development-oriented initiatives.
- The accord would usher in a new dawn of peace, harmony and togetherness and that those associated with armed resistance groups would now enter the mainstream and contribute to the nation's progress.
