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Journalism of Courage
The formal ceasefire between the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Centre marks the end of nearly two decades of militant agitation by the Bodos.
The much younger Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) had already been dissolved following an accord with the government two years ago. Its leaders are now part of the newly-formed Bodoland People’s Progressive Front (BPPF), a political party.
Official sources quoting home ministry officials in New Delhi said the ceasefire agreement between the NDFB and the government would come into effect from June 1.
Formed in 1986 as Bodo Security Force (BdSF), the outfit changed its name to NDFB in 1994 and has a current cadre strength of about 700 men. About 1000 cadres have surrendered in phases since 1992, while about 300 died in clashes with security forces.
But, while fighting for a ‘‘sovereign Bodo state’’ along the north bank of the Brahmaputra, the NDFB firepower gave security forces more than just a spot of bother.
The NDFB has been on a unilateral ceasefire mode since October last year, and its chairman D.R. Nabla alias Ranjan Daimary had been asking the Union Home Ministry for a formal meeting for long. The group has agreed to hand over a list of its cadres as well as its weapons, and also set up a joint ceasefire monitoring group comprising of equal representation from the central government, state government and the NDFB.
After his meeting with the Bodo leaders today, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the accord will help in strengthening the peace process in Assam and other states in the northeast region.
