The ongoing dispute over granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in Assam has further escalated political and social tensions within the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). The issue has deepened the rift between BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary and the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). The dispute intensified when the BTC secretariat in Kokrajhar was vandalized on November 29th during a protest against the alleged weakening of tribal rights.
Hagrama Mohilary’s Allegations and Announcement of Investigation
BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary stated that the incident was pre-planned. Speaking to the press, he claimed that the ABSU and the United People’s Party Liberation (UPPL) were involved. Mohilary also stated that they would form a commission of inquiry to determine how the planning was carried out and who was behind it. He clarified that the law will decide on arrests, and the BTC has no involvement in this matter. According to his statement, ABSU is now on the defensive, and the public will soon know the full truth.
ABSU counterattack: Accusations unfortunate
ABSU President Dipen Boron strongly refuted Mohilary’s allegations. He said, “We strongly condemn the allegations leveled against ABSU in the case of the attack on the BTC chief. Our intention was never to incite any kind of violence or disruption. Those who have accused us should first clarify the position of the BTC government and the BPF party.” Boron also expressed concern over the Group of Ministers (GoM) report granting ST status to six communities. He said this report poses a threat to existing tribal rights. He further stated that if even one percent evidence is found against ABSU, he will resign as president and is ready to go to jail.
Details of the student rally and attack on the secretariat
On November 29, a large number of students from the Bodoland University and surrounding colleges attacked the BTC secretariat. The rally was organized to protest the alleged weakening of tribal rights. Despite police deployment, students broke through the gates and entered the campus, damaging property. The district administration subsequently imposed restrictions. The ABSU says its leadership was meeting with 25 organizations at its Kokrajhar office and only learned about the incident about an hour prior. This incident has publicly exposed long-standing differences between the BTC and ABSU.
