NEW DELHI: The ninth round of tripartite talks between the Center, the Assam government and Bodo groups Jan7 failed to make any headway with the result that the All Bodo Students Union set the deadline of January 31 by which the govt was asked to announce a concrete political formula” to solve the problems of the plains tribal of the state.
The ABSU president, S.K. Bwiswmutiary , told newsmen after the 100minute talks at the Assam Bhawan here that the groups agitating for a separate state would decide on the next phase of action if nothing concrete emerged by January 31. He said he was “most unhappy” with todays talks and wondered why talks should at all be held when the government had nothing concrete to offer.
Bwiswmutiary led a 20member ABSU and Bodo Peoples Action Committee (BPAC) delegation at the talks while the Center was represented by the Union minister of state for home, M.M. Jacob, and senior officials of his ministry. The state government was represented by the chief minister, Hites war Saikia, wo ministers G.C.Langthansa and J.Patgiri, and senior officials.
CENSUS DATA: Bulk of the discussions at the meeting hinged around the report of the three member committee on Bodo issues formed after the eighth round of Tripanite talks. The committee, which was asked to recommend the extent of autonomy that could be given wo the plains Tribal, has not submitted its report in view of the unavailability of vital census data.
Jabob urged the Bodo leaders to wait for some more time so that the committee could complete its work, but this was out rightly rejected by them, The extended term of the committee ends on January 31, and the Bodo leaders were not in favour of granting it any further extension It should submit its report within January 31 they stated.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1992
