National Democratic Front of Boroland (P) Reiterates Demand for Boroland State

30th National Martyrs’ Day

Our CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) of different factions observed the 30th National Martyrs’ Day of the outfit in different places on Friday in a befitting manner. The NDFB (Progressive) observed the day in their designated camps in Kokrajhar, Baksa and Udalguri while the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB also observed the day in the designated camp in Udalguri. The NDFB (P) through observation of National Martyrs’ Day urged upon the Government of India to create a separate state of Boroland on the basis of history.

The NDFB-Progressive has asserted that the martyrdom for the cause of the Bodos will help the society to exist as a strong nationality in the world. During the 30th National Martyrs’ Day, the NDFB (All factions) remembered over 2000 leaders, cadres and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Boro people in the hands of the successive ‘occupational’ forces.

In Serfanguri designated camp, Kokrajhar, the general secretary of the NDFB (P) Gobinda Basumatary hoisted the organizational flag at half mast in respect of the martyrs while the founder president of the outfit Ranjan Daimary hoisted the flag in Udalguri. B. Bwlwgwra, ‘Army Chief’ of the NDFB (P) paid rich flowers tribute to the martyrs at Serfanguri designated camp.

In his speech, the general secretary Gobinda Basumatary said the outfit was formed on October 3, 1986 at Odla Kashibari in Udalguri district to start the armed struggle to liberate Boroland for self-determination. He said on September 14, 1988, the Action Commander (Now Army Chief) of the Boro Security Force (Bd.SF), later re-christened as NDFB B. Bangburgwra became the first martyr in their arm struggle and since then the outfit has been observing the day as National Martyrs’ Day. He said the NDFB (P) came to a ceasefire in 2005 after 19 years of armed struggle for Boroland and was engaged in the peace talks but in more than twelve years of their ceasefire, the Government of India has not taken proactive measure for a political solution of their problems.

Basumatary said that the peace talks with the outfit were taking place with the Government of India and hoped that the present government will bring a solution to the decades-long Boroland issue for permanent peace and security in the region. He said the NDFB (P) has been on peaceful dialogue for the last 10 years with the Government of India. The Government of India often says that it does not have a policy for creating new states whereas the government declared Telengana state at midnight of December 9, 2009, and despite stiff opposition from a large section of people of Andhra Pradesh, Telengana state formally came into being in 2014. He also warned that the historical and political injustices meted out to the Boro people by denying the creation of a separate state would no longer be tolerated.

The general secretary said, “We may change out tactics of a struggle depending on time and situation but our struggle for the right to self-determination is not over but it will go on till we achieve our goal. We must stick to our stand for Boroland,” he said adding that every cadre and member of the NDFB should be ready to die for the Boro nation.