Bodoland gets more support, strike from May 7

Guwahati, May 3 (IANS) With other communities backing the demand for a Bodoland in Assam, a 36-hour state-wide strike has been called from May 7.

Forty-five groups representing tribal and non-tribal communities have joined the movement, Bodo leader Jebra Ram Muchahary said here Thursday.

"With so many communities joining us, the Bodoland demand has become one of masses in Bodo dominated areas," People's Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM) chief convener Muchahary said.

The PJACBM has called for a 36-hour strike on May 7. On May 18, there will be district demonstrations. On May 25 national highways will be blocked for 12 hours.

The 45 organisations represent Adivasis, Gorkhas and Bengalis.

The development gives a boost to the demand of separate state by the pro-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), which signed a ceasefire with the central government in 2005.

In 2003, the central government signed the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) accord with the erstwhile Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT).

But that was an economic package and that is why it failed to fulfill the aspirations of the Bodo people, said another Bodo leader, Bhramon Baglari.