Non-Bodo communities in Assam protest against inclusion of 60 villages in Bodoland

Guwahati: After the Assam government announced that villages with at least 80% Bodo population will be included in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), several parts of the state saw protests from people belonging to non-Bodo communities.

60 villages in Dhekiajuli, Behali, Sootea, Gohpur, and Biswanath have the decided percentage of the Bodo population and will be included in the BTR. People from non-Bodo communities living in these regions said they are against the decision and do not want to be included in the autonomous region and proposed state.

Yesterday, people burnt tyres on streets and blocked the National Highway, and raised slogans against the inclusion of Gohpur. Several parts of Assam saw similar protests demanding the withdrawal of the decision after it was announced on Republic Day. "We are against this decision. We don't want to be included in the BTR. How can the government take such a decision which is against the will of the people? We demand the withdrawal of the decision. If they don't do it, we will intensify our protest," said a protester to NDTV.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said there can be no hindrance as far as the inclusion of Bodo villages in BTR is concerned. If Bodo villages get included in BTR, then there is nothing to oppose.

The BTR is part of the state government's commitment to implement the Tripartite Bodo Accord signed in January 2020 for permanent peace in the Bodoland region.