GUWAHATI, March 19: Major Bodo political parties and organisations are getting ready to launch a united movement for the creation of a separate state of Bodoland and decided to oppose any move to hold the election to the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) without arriving at a permanent solution to the Bodo problem. A meeting of the Bodo political parties and organisations-ABSU, PDF and the BPAC was held here today to discuss their future course of action. The meeting decided to form a Bodoland parliamentary party comprising all the Bodo legislators and the member of parliament. The parliamentary party, headed by Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswamutiary, MP, will fight for the creation of the separate state of Bodoland on the floor of the Parliament and the state Assembly, said the president of the ABSU, Urkhao Gwra Brahma. Talking to The Assam Tribune after today's meeting, Brahma said that the formation of the parliamentary party is the first step towards the unification of the major Bodo political parties and organisation. He said that the elected representatives of the Bodos will stage a demonstration in front of the Janata Bhawan on April 5 demanding the creation of a separate State, the parliamentary party members will also visit Delhi in April to meet the Prime Minister, union home minister and opposition leaders to highlight their demand for a separate state. Brahma disclosed that a three member committee comprising the ABSU general secretary Nathu Ram Boro, PDF, general secretary Gangadhar Ramchiary and the BPAC convenor Reo Reva Narzary has been formed in today's meeting to organise a political convention of the Bodo political parties and organisations. He revealed that a common platform is likely to be formed in the political convention, to be held at Rangiya on April 29. He said that other organisations like the Bodo Sahitya Sabha and the Bodo Women's Welfare Federation will extend full support to the joint agitation to be launched by the Bodo political parties and organisations. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 20, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 24: -The Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) has expressed its happiness over the union government's decision to suspend security operation against the BLTF. In a press release issued by BSS president Bineswar Brahma here, the BSS said that this would certainly pave the way for the peaceful solution of the Bodoland issue. It also thanked the BLTF for reciprocating to the union government's move with a similar decision for a ceasefire. Besides, the BSS also urged upon the NDFB to come forward for the peaceful solution of the Bodoland problems through dialogues. The Sabha has been advocating democratic mass movement and solution of the Bodo problems politically, keeping in view the historical background and ethnic identity, hope and aspirations for the development of their economy, language and literature under the 'sacred Indian constitution', said the BSS press release. It also added, 'from history we must learn that through dialogue any problem can be solved. We may learn from Laldenga, MNF leader, who had come forward and solved the Mizo problem by agreeing to Mizoram State, which is now one of the most peaceful and flourishing state in the country.' The Centre should also be cautious enough to handle the Bodoland problem with the right earnest for the permanent solution by creating a separate state of Bodoland failing which the situation may further aggravate, - the BSS press release said. Meanwhile, the BLTF made an appeal to the union government to take proper steps immediately for the creation of a Bodoland state on the north Bank of the Brahmaputra within the framework of the Indian Constitution and for the creation of an autonomous council under the provision of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, comprising the tribal compact areas on the south bank of the Brahmaputra. Besides, it also called for measures for enscheduling the Bodo-Kacharis of Karbi Anglong District as hills tribe. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 25, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 26: Though the representatives of the state and union government s had at least three rounds of discussions with the leaders of militant outfit BLTF, the discussions were held mainly on restoration of peace while the political issues are yet to be discussed. Highly placed official sources said that restoration of peace was the first and foremost agenda before the government and the series of discussions led to the declaration of the ceasefire. The union home ministry has already written to the state chief secretary as well as to the director-general of police and Army authorities to suspend operations against the BLTF and it is expected that the ceasefire would help to restore peace in the Bodo dominated areas of Assam. Sources said that the ground rules for the ceasefire are yet to be finalised. The sources also expressed the hope that the ground rules of the ceasefire would be finalised in the next round of meeting. It may be mentioned here that the visit of the United states President immediately after the declaration of ceasefire delayed the finalisation of the ground rules of the ceasefire. The BLTF has already welcomed the declaration of the ceasefire and hoped that it would help to solve the Bodo problem through political dialogues. Sources said that on March 24 last, the BLTF held a public meeting at Debargaon in Kokrajhar district to inform the Bodo people about their discussions with the government. The leaders of the BLTF , who addressed the meeting, also stressed the need for solving the Bodo problem through discussions. Another positive development, which may go a long way in bringing peace in the Bodo dominated areas of Assam is that the BLTF and the NDFB have reached an understanding to stop the fratricidal killings. According to information available, the BLTF and the NDFB have also set up a coordination committee to improve the ties between the outfits. Different Bodo political parties and organisations including the ABSU, Peoples Democratic Front, Bodo Sahitya Sabha and others have welcomed the ceasefire declaration and it is hoped that the ceasefire would be the first step towards a peaceful solution to the Bodo problem. Sources said that the declaration of the ceasefire shows the interest of the union government towards solution of the problem through discussions and the ABSU has also requested the union government to initiate political dialogue with all the Bodo political parties and organisations to find a political solution to the Bodoland state issue. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 27, 2000)

NEW DELHI, March 29: The Centre and the BLTF agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday with the rebel organisation declaring that it will to abide by the Constitution. During two days of talks between the union home ministry, the Assam government and the BLTF leaders, the participants agreed to set up a joint monitoring group to oversee the suspension of operations against BLTF. The Central team, led by additional secretary in the home ministry P.D. Shenoy, held talks with BLTF vice-chairman Chimang Brahma, alias Chandan, to pave the way for peace and to build up a conducive atmosphere for further discussions to resolve the problems of the Bodos. The joint working group will meet at least once in two months to sort out issues of contention, if any, and other matters, a spokesperson said. (Correspondent; The Hindustan Times; New Delhi; March 30, 2000)

NEW DELHI, March 29: Swiftly acting to capitalise on the cessation of hostility with the BLTF , the union government today announced the set of ground rules for implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Assam. The formal agreement was signed with the BLTF leadership following a two-day talk that concluded here this evening. Later announcing the ground rules formally, the additional secretary in the ministry of home affairs (Northeast), PD Shenoy, who also presided over the talks with the BLTF , told newsmen that a joint monitoring group comprising representatives of government of India, Assam government and the BLTF would be shortly formed to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire. The ceasefire declaration, which mentioned that the ceasefire had come into effect from March 15, stated that according to the agreement with the government of India, the Bodo outfit would completely abjure violence and will not engage in violent and unlawful activities, besides abiding by the Constitution of India. In exchange, the security forces in Assam will not launch any operation against the outfit. The two sides also agreed that the composition of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group would be mixed. The monitoring group is likely to be headed by Shenoy, who is also the chairman of the group that is monitoring ceasefire ground rules with the NSCN (IM). The BLTF also agreed to work for creating a conducive atmosphere for development of the Bodoland. The BLTF was led by its vice chairman, Chimang Brahma alias Chandan alias Kamal Mushahary. What is significant about the signing of the ground rules is involvement of Assam government in the process, unlike the ceasefire agreement between the union government and the NSCN (IM). Even in the current round of talks with the BLTF , Assam government was involved and it has been given representation in the Ceasefire Monitoring Group. The signing of the ground rules today is the fallout of a series of negotiations between the MHA and the BLTF. The union Home minister, LK Advani, had cleared the ceasefire agreement before it was formally announced. It may be mentioned, the union home minister had during the budget session made a statement in both the Houses of the Parliament announcing the end of hostility with the Bodo outfit, clarifying that efforts were on to woo the NDFB into talks. He had however, categorically ruled out unconditional talks with the ULFA. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 30, 2000)