Ex-gratia grant distributed to families of Bodoland Movement martyrs in Kokrajhar

Our Correspondent

Kokrajhar: A ceremonial distribution of ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of Bodoland martyrs was held at the auditorium of Bodofa Cultural Complex in Kokrajhar on Tuesday.

The chief of BTC, Hagrama Mohilary, Assam Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Public Health Engineering Minister Rihon Daimary and BTC Principal Secretary Biren Chandra Phukan attended the programme and distributed the cheques amounting to Rs 5 lakh each to the beneficiaries. Total 300 martyrs’ families of the 2,624 martyred during the Bodoland Movement will be given ex-gratia grant in the first phase.

In his speech, Mohilary expressed his deepest respect to martyrs who made supreme sacrifice for the Bodoland Movement, the fruit of which resulted in the creation of Bodoland Territorial Council. He announced construction of Mungkhlong Dera (Swahid Bhavan) in all the districts of Assam outside the BTAD in memory of the Bodoland martyrs in those districts or area. He also said Rs 2 lakh each would be given to all the former Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLTs).

The BTC chief also termed the Bodo Accord a success, stating that 99 per cent of the clauses in the BTC Accord were implemented with only one major issue of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Bodos living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao yet to be implemented. He expressed hope that this would be done at the earliest.

He also recalled the contribution of the common people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, saying that other communities, including the Assamese, Nepali, Koch Rajbongshi, Adivasi, Bengali, Garo, Rabha had supported the Bodos during the movement period and their contribution could not be ignored.

Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary, BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary, Bodo Sahitya Sabha vice-president Kamala Kanta Mushahary, BTC executive members, BTC IGP Anurag Agarwal and others were also present in the meeting.

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