Student bodies burn effigy of Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech in Udalguri district

A CORRESPONDENT

TANGLA: The activists of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) Tangla regional chapter, All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union Udalguri west chapter and All Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) Tangla regional chapter raised heated slogans and burnt the effigy of one of the peace talks mediator of the third Bodo Peace pact, Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech at Tangla town in Udalguri district on Sunday.

According to reports, the alleged statement of Mech that non-tribals must live like tenants in the tribal belt of Bodoland Territorial Region has drawn strong criticism from all quarters. Mech, while attending the second foundation day of the now disbanded insurgent group National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NLFB) in Udalguri recently, while asserting the rights of non-tribals in tribal belts, allegedly made the statement which has infuriated the non-tribal population residing in the Bodo belt.

The members of the students' bodies raised heated slogans demanding immediate action against Mech and burnt the effigy of Mech in Tangla Chariali in Tangla town of the Udalguri district. Talking to mediapersons,Tangla AASU leader, Pranjal Das said, "The insensible remark by the self-styled leader, Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech is strongly condemable and we urge the government to immediately arrest Mech for his remarks." He further asserted that the non-tribal stakeholders had lent support to each and every Bodo Peace Accord. The student leader reitarated that if the government and administration failed to initiate necessary action against Mech, the non-tribal population would launch democratic protest throughout the five districts of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech refuted the allegations before the media and said that his statement had been twisted by a section of media. He said that he was only referring to Chapter X of Assam Land & Revenue Regulation Act 1886 and the Assam Land & Revenue Regulation (Amendment) Act, 1947 which speaks of tribal belts and blocks. He further asserted that the BTC Accord of 2003 also secures the rights of non-tribals in Bodoland Territorial Region who have been permanent inhabitants of the region prior to 2003. However, those who migrated in the region and do not possess permanent residency will have no rights in the region and will have to reside as like tenants.

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