Rail Jam as demand for Bodoland gains momentum

Assam has erupted with protests demanding a separate Bodoland, after the Congress had approved the creation of Telangana as a separate state on Wednesday.

The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) has announced a 12-hour rail blockade here today, which has resulted in cutting off the northeast region from the rest of the country.

According to television reports, a public rally and a 60-hour bandh has been scheduled for next week to press the demand for a separate Bodoland.

The Bodos have long fought for a separate state and after a 16-year armed struggle they signed a peace accord with New Delhi in 2003, which gave them autonomy over four districts.

The President of All Bodo Students Union, Pramod Bodo, said that the Indian government should address their demands and justice should be done.

"Continuously, in the last three decades All Bodo Students Union and border people, we are demanding a separate state under Article 20 of the Indian Constitution. .... The Government of India is not giving justice. We demand justice. We want our political right. Government of India must address our demand, address our issue," he said.

Pramod Bodo also said that the Bodo people of Assam were being deprived of their rights and were being mistreated by not being granted a separate state.

"Before 2000, they said there was no provision in the Government of India to create new state. But they created Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Now, they have created Telangana. They are again depriving the whole Bodo people, the indigenous people of Assam. We are not demanding any money. We are not demanding any fund. We are not demanding any package. We want to live with dignity," Bodo added.