BTC decision finds no takers!

‘BTC should be governed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BTC Accord that spelt it out that after formation of BTC all those staying there would have their rights intact’ 

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 28: The BTC Executive Council’s decision not allowing sale of land to any non-tribal in the BTAD without BTC’s permission found no takers among parties and organizations in the State.

Opposing the move, State BJP president Ranjit Dass said: “No power can deprive people staying in the BTAD of their land and other rights. The BJP is committed not to allow such a thing to happen. The State BJP is ready to take any measures to prevent any power from depriving the residents of BTAD from their land rights. Every resident of BTAD should enjoy all rights as mentioned in the 2003 BTC Accord.”

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) also opposed the BTC executive council’s decision.

APCC’s senior spokesperson Durga Das Boro said ‘the decision of the council violates the BTC Accord of 2003 and the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2003’.

“We will take legal recourse if they try to implement this decision as it will adversely affect 70 per cent population in the BTAD,” Boro said.

Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urged the BTC administration to ensure that the rights given to the non-Bodos in the BTC Accord are not taken away or else it will create widespread resentment in the area.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said that the BTC should be governed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BTC Accord that spelt it out that after formation of BTC all those staying there would have their rights intact.  

Indigenous Forum, Assam apprehends that BTC’s decision is going to lead to a conflict among the people in the BTAD. It said that the rights of indigenous people of the State should be protected.   The All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani says that the BTAD has been created in origil Koch kingdom, and hence all living there should enjoy land rights. The Samlili is going to meet on March 4 on the issue to take future course of action.