The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has issued a strong warning to both the Central and Assam governments, indicating that continued delays in implementing the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord could force the community to reignite its historic struggle for a separate Bodoland state. This significant caution follows a Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday, a session that had been postponed four times since the beginning of June.
Expressing deep resentment, the key signatory organization highlighted that over six years have passed since the tripartite agreement was inked on January 27, 2020. The accord was signed between the Government of India, the Assam Government, ABSU, the United Bodo People’s Organisation (UBPO), and four factions of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). The ABSU leadership has openly criticized both administrations for what it perceives as a lackadaisical approach, testing the patience of the Bodo people.
A major point of contention remains the augmentation of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) boundary. According to the student body, the commission tasked with this crucial aspect has made insufficient progress, contributing significantly to the community’s growing frustration. The union underscored the imperative for expeditious action on all clauses of the accord to ensure lasting peace and development in the region.
The warning from ABSU serves as a critical reminder of the aspirations and historical struggles of the Bodo community. As the region watches closely, the onus is now on the governments to demonstrate concrete progress, thereby averting a potential return to the agitation that once characterized the demand for Bodoland.
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