Guwahati, 09 August (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday pledged that there will be no second-class citizens in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), assuring that everyone will be treated as first-class citizens. Speaking at the Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Baganpara and Goreswar, the CM said that the BJP will contest the BTR elections with the goal of ensuring equal rights for all communities.
Dr. Sarma recalled that during the BTR movement, nearly 4,000 people lost their lives. However, after the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 and signed the BTR Peace Accord in 2020, the region has seen peace and development. “Since I took oath in 2021, there has not been a single kidnapping or bomb blast in BTR,” he said, adding that he has personally visited every district—Baksa, Tamulpur, Udalguri, Chirang, and Kokrajhar—to engage with people from all communities.
The CM noted that BTR is home to 36 different communities, including Bodo, Rabha, Kochari, Rajbanshi, Kalita, Gorkha, Bengali, Muslim, Oriya, Santal, Tea Tribes, Adivasi, and others. However, he said many have yet to receive equal rights, particularly in land ownership, despite generations of residence. “If people do not get their rights in their birthplace, where will they go?” he questioned, promising to restore respect, honour, and dignity to all residents if BJP forms the next BTR government.
State BJP President Dilip Saikia, also addressing the rally, pledged equal development for both the Bodo community and the 25 other ethnic groups in the region. He highlighted that BTR has witnessed a transformation since 2016, shifting from ethnic conflicts to peace and progress.
The event was attended by senior BJP leaders, including Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, BJP Organising General Secretary G.R. Ravindra Raju, Vice-Presidents Pulak Gohain and Rekharani Das Bodo, General Secretary Rituparna Baruah and other party officials.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
