Bodo Peace Accord 2020: PM Modi announces Rs 1500 crore package for Bodo areas

During his first visit to Assam following the signing of tripartite Bodo Peace Accord 2020, PM Modi announced Rs 1500 crore package for Bodo areas of the state.

The announcement was made by the Prime Minister while addressing a celebratory rally at Kokrajhar in Assam. In his address to the people of

the region, PM Modi said that the Bodo Peace Accord 2020 signed between All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Assam Government will bring “an end a problem that had been persisting for decades and mark the beginning of a new era of peace and progress.”

PM Modi announces Rs 1500 crore package

PM Modi announced a Rs 1500 crore package from the central government for the development of the Bodo Areas. The funds will be used to carry out development

work in the areas defined under Bodo Peace Accord 2020 and help increase the infrastructure and employment opportunities.

Significance

PM Narendra Modi‟s visit to Kokrajhar to celebrate the signing of the historic Bodo Accord was witnessed by a large number of people. Around 70,000 earthen lamps were lit in the town to welcome the Prime Minister.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to Assam since the CAA protests last year. He had previously cancelled his summit with Japan’s Shinzo Abe, which was scheduled to be held in Guwahati in December 2019, due to the protests. The Prime Minister had also skipped the inaugural event of the Khelo India Youth Games in January 2020.

Bodo Accord

The Union Government had signed the historic Bodo peace agreement on January 2, 2020 with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), one of the dangerous militant groups in Assam. The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), agitating for a long time demanding Bodo state, also signed the deal.

The signatories of the tripartite agreement included Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the leadership of four factions of NDFB, Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary of ABSU, Ministry of Home Affairs and Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Chief Secretary of Assam.

The Bodo Accord will provide political and economic benefits to the tribal areas without seeking a separate Bodoland state or union territory.

Key Highlights of Bodo Accord

The Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, said on the occasion that the agreement will ensure the bright future of the people of Assam as well as the Bodo
He also said that the 1,550 Bodo members will surrender on January 30, 2020, with 130
He ensured all the representatives that all the promises will be fulfilled in a time-bound
The agreement will provide political rights and economic packages to the Bodo
According to the political pundits, the agreement will ensure the safety of Bodo language, cultural and regional

History of Bodo Accord

Overall, the government of India has signed three agreements with the Bodo tribes in the last 27 years and the two previous agreements failed to bring permanent peace in the
The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the Government of India signed the first accord in Tje agreement resulted to the creation of a Bodoland Autonomous Council with some political powers.
The second Bodo accord was signed in 2003 between Government of India and extremist group Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT).
The second agreement resulted to the formation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with four districts – Udalguri, Chirang, Baska and These areas are commonly called Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD).
The clashes between extremists groups of Assam and the government have claimed hundreds of

Miscellaneous Points of the Peace Accord:

The number of seats in Bodo Territorial Areas Districts (BTAD) will be increased from 40 to 60.
A central university will be set up at Barama in the name of ABSU leader, Upendra Nath Brahma.
Special industrial policy for BTAD.
Railway coach factory to be set up in BTAD area.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre to b

e set up at Udalguri, Baksa and Chirang.
District Collectors (DC) and Superintendents of Police(SP) will be appointed in consultation with BTC authority.
A National Sports University will be set up.
Autonomous Welfare Council for the Bodo people living outside BTAD areas.
A Cancer Hospital and Medical College will be set up in Tamulpur
GOI to expedite the process of granting Hills tribe status to Bodos living in Hills areas
A veterinary college will be set up at Kumarikata
A central university and RIIMS will be set up in Udalguri
Special industrial policy for BTAD