Even as the Assam government waits for a response from the outlawed National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NDFB) over proposed negotiations, several Bodo groups have expressed apprehension over what could be on the agenda.‘‘We wonder whether the NDFB is going to raise the issue of creating a sovereign Bodo state,’’ said Rabiram Narzary, president of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), pointing out that the NDFB has been always fighting for a sovereign Bodo state.Talking to The Indian Express, Narzary welcomed the NDFB’s gesture for coming out to talk, but not before warning the government that the proposed negotiations should in no way create hurdles for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), created following an accord with the Bodoland Liberation Tigers (BLT) last year. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said he was not sure whether the NDFB would raise the issue of sovereignty when it comes for talks. ‘‘We welcome NDFB chairman Ranjan Daimary’s response to the government’s call for a peaceful negotiation. The initiative must help bring gun culture among the Bodo people to an end. But any solution should not be at the cost of the BTC,’’ Narzary said.While the NDFB has been demanding a sovereign Bodo state, the BLT, that dissolved itself after signing an accord with the government last year, settled for the BTC comprising a large area of Lower Assam. The ABSU, which backed the BLT in its negotiations, sees the NDFB asking for space within the BTC. The government has to hold election to the BTC in the next few months. ‘‘The talks should not affect the BTC and implementation of the accord.in no way should the proposed negotiations with NDFB put off the ensuing BTC elections,’’ he said.
