GUWAHATI: The Assam government has approved a Rs 160-crore package for rehabilitation of 4036 cadres of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) who have laid down arms and joined the mainstream.
The approval was given during a meeting held under the direction of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the status of implementation of Bodoland Territorial Accord on Monday.
The meeting also discussed the issues involving the identity of the Bodos, their culture, language and education and the CM advocated to promote and build a social empowerment narrative around Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma’s philosophy for the Bodo people.
The rehabilitation programme for the NDFB cadres would be conceptualised and designed by the BTC in association with State Institute for Panchayat and Rural Development and would be coordinated by IGP (Special Branch) Hiren Nath.
Under the programme, skill development training would be imparted to the NDFB cadres in several parts of the BTR for their socio-economic development.
The meeting, which took place in the presence of minister for welfare of plain tribes and backward classes (only BTC) Urkhao Gwra Brahma, chief executive member of BTC Promod Boro and several executive members, also decided to expedite the means for empowering the council to enable the BTR Accord signed on January 27 to usher in renewed peace.
Moreover, the chief minister directed to expeditiously complete the construction of the cultural complex-cum-centre of excellence to be built in the name of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma along with other development works which are intrinsically associated with the pride and prestige of the Bodos.
The meeting also decided that the welfare of plain tribes and backward classes (for BTC) to be reconstituted and renamed as BTC affairs department, which will work exclusively for the welfare of the Bodos.
The chief minister said office-cum-residential quarters for IGP, DIG, additional SPs and DSPs should be built in the BTR districts within a stipulated timeframe