We’re against any deal that may divide Assam: MP Naba Sarania

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Expressing his reaction over the issue of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Saoraigwra) (NDFB-S) cadres returning to India from Myanmar for a peace deal, Kokrajhar MP Naba Sarania said, “We welcome those who have come from Myanmar. However, we’re against any deal that may lead to the division of Assam.”

Addressing a press conference at Guwahati Press Club on Monday, Sarania said that the Government must take initiative not to repeat the mistakes that it had committed while forming the BTC. He said that the government must pay attention to the cases going on against the cadres, and that the cases must not be closed in the process of the proposed peace deal.

He further said, “We’ll never allow the division of Assam in the name of forming a UTC (Union Territorial Council) as the general public received nothing from the BTC. So, this time, we want that the UTC should be equal to all, irrespective of Bodos, non-Bodos or any other tribal people.”

Sniffing a conspiracy to postpone the BTC election in the name of NDFB talks so as to allow those at the helm of BTC administration to rule for more than 6 months with an interim arrangement, Sarania said, “We hope the government will not take any decision against the people of Assam. If the government goes against the people of the State, it won’t survive in the 2021 Assembly election in the State. The much talked about alternative party will start from the BTC if the government fails to ensure the rights of the general public over there.”

Demanding a clear statement from the government regarding the ST status, Sarania said, “An initiative is necessary on the part of the government to bring all other organizations back to the mainstream for peace.” Sarania further demanded that the status of first language in the BTC should be for Assamese. He, however, said that they’ve no problem in recognizing the Bodo language, but without reducing the Assamese language to a second language.

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