By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Several serious issues were discussed during the round table consultation on the peace building process in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) which took place in New Delhi recently. The meet which was attended by number of experts from different walks of life advocated for seizure of illegal arms which are said to be available in these troubled areas among other ways for solution towards peace.
“Everybody present on the meeting agreed that until and unless the arms which are abundance in the BTAD areas seized peace is impossible. Peace cannot be attained at the gun point and the government should realize that,” said Hafiz Ahmed, president of Char Chapori Sahitya Parishad (CCSP), a literary body of Assam.
Hafiz Ahmed
Hafiz Ahmed, represented Assam in the meet where renowned journalist and academician Sanjoy Hazarika was also present. Hazarika added that the BTAD violence was not simply about illegal migration and agreed that unless all arms are seized peace cannot be established.
Another point which was discussed during the meet was the matter of compensation for the victims for rehabilitation. “The state and central government both promised a compensation of Rs 3 lakh each besides the BTAD authority promising an amount of Rs 2 lakh. But just a few families have received Rs 3 lakh for their rehabilitation package. Moreover, most of the people were not provided the means of livelihood. So, they were not rehabilitated,” Ahmed said.
They also discussed about the nearly 50, 000 people who have been living on the government lands but they could not been re-settled.
“Besides, there are lot many problems in these areas like MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), RTE (Right to Education act) etc. are not properly implemented among the minority people. Such kind of discrimination should not be done and the rule of law should prevail in the BTAD area,” he added. In Bodoland University, recently, 150 people were employed in various posts but surprisingly not a single person from the minority community was given a job,” he rued.
He also raised the issue how more than 500 Muslim workers were not allowed to continue their job at Food Corporation of India godown in spite of possessing valid licences.
They also proposed to conduct an all community meet in Guwahati so that the gap can be bridged. “Besides, I felt that there are some positive stories like Bodo people helping Muslim people and vice versa and these should be collected and made a book to send a positive message among the mass. This concept was widely appreciated,” he added.
Unnati, Ahmedabad based social organization who took initiative to organize the event will also brief the points to the union ministry for a better way out for peace. They have already submitted resolution copy to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Unnati has also vowed to bring out books with such positive stories in Hindi with the support from CCSP.
Gurumayum Amarjit Sharma, Assistant Professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who also participated in the meet suggested that there should be cultural and sports programmes to bring the people of various communities closer in these troubled areas.
They also advocated for a proper and neutral investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation on the whole incident. “I feel if such activities can be taken, peace will come in the BTAD areas,” Ahmed said.