Bodo Crisis
Bodoland, officially the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), is an autonomous region in the state of Assam, India. It made up of four districts on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river, by the foothills of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. The region is predominantly inhabited by the indigenous Bodo people and other indigenous communities of Assam. The official map of Bodoland includes four districts of BTAD recognised by the Government of India. It is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council, which covers over eight thousand square kilometres. The territory came into existence under the BTC Accord in February 2003.
Why in news?
- A historic agreement was signed between Government of India, Government of Assam and Bodo representatives to end the over 50-year old Bodo crisis.
Key highlights of the agreement:
- Increase the scope and powers of the Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) and to streamline its functioning;
- Set up a commission under Section 14 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, to recommend the inclusion or exclusion of tribal population residing in villages adjoining Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) areas;
- The Government of Assam will establish a Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council;
- The Assam government will also notify Bodo language as an associate official language in the state and will set up a separate directorate for Bodo medium schools;
- promote and protect Bodo’s social, cultural, linguistic and ethnic identities;
- Providing legislative protection for the land rights of tribals;
- A Special Development Package Rs. 1500 crores over three years will be given by the Union Government to undertake specific projects for the development of Bodo areas.
- Rehabilitate members of National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) factions (With this agreement, over 1500 armed cadres will abjure violence and join the mainstream).