Assam: Rehabilitation cheques distributed to ex-NDFB members in Kokrajhar

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: As a part of the rehabilitation of ex-NDFB members, cheques of fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakh each was ceremonially distributed by Chief of BTR Pramod Boro in the presence of Ministers Ashok Singhal, UG Brahma, MPs Rwngwra Narzary and Joyanta Basumatary, ADGP (SB) Hiren Nath, IGP (BTC) Bibek Raj Singh and EMs of BTC in a programme held at Bodofa Cultural Complex today.

In his speech, the CEM of BTR Pramod Boro said that the NDFB entered into a ceasefire in 2005 looking for peaceful negotiation with the Government of India. The Bodos started the statehood movement in 1967 under the banner of PTCA and in later part, the ABSU started democratic mass movement in 1987 while BLT and NDFB started arms movement. He said that where there is struggle, there is rebuilding and reconstruction of the community and that Indians fought with the British and after Independence, rebuilding of India started. He said that the common people extended support to the ABSU, BLT, and NDFB and many innocent villagers faced the excesses of security forces, were jailed and became martyrs. Boro said, “We are to think of the pain and sufferings of common villagers.” He said that only 300 BLT cadres got rehabilitated in the last 17 years but within a short time, over 4000 NDFB cadres have been given rehabilitation cheques. The Government of BTR has decided to impart pre- training to ex-NDFB cadres to absorb in para-military forces, he said, adding that the Council Government has written to the authorities to absorb the youths in the Territorial Army. This is the time of reconstruction, not for struggle, he said, adding that the cases of non-heinous cases are being withdrawn while heinous cases are being examined and the state government is taking due initiative for them. He also said that the Government of BTR had been extending support in dealing with the withdrawal of cases.

Boro said that the mission of ‘Fin Rwdwmkhang’ undertaken by the Government of BTR focused on the rehabilitation of all ex-NDFB members through skill development programmes in various fields in a cooperative model. He said that youth centres in the name of 1st NDFB cadres B Bangburgwra were going on while the construction of the cemetery and museum of NDFB has also been going on.

 In his speech, the ADGP (Special Branch) Hiren Nath said that 2403 cadres have been given rehabilitation grants and by giving fixed rehabilitation cheques of Rs 4 lakh each to 590 cadres, as many as 4881 members have been given rehabilitation grants of Rs 4 lakh each. He said that the rehabilitation grants would be given from the fund of the current financial year. He also said that the BTC was a hot zone of militancy but the BTR Accord in 2020 has ushered peace in the region. He called upon all the ex-NDFB members to be part of the initiative of peace and progress of the government.

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