After seven years of working through a negotiated peace process with the government of India, The National Democratic Front of Boroland suggests India is not serious about resolving the issues.
Of all of the tribal groups in North East India, the Boro people are the largest population group. Since 1967, they have been demanding a Separate State of Boroland, but India moves at a snail’s pace. In the past 20 years, they agreed to the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) – in 1993, and the Bodoland Territorial Councils (BTC) 2003. Now it is 2013 and the NDFB want to see a quantum leap, not more of the same lack of action followed by a small carrot as a reward.
The NDFB are so disappointed in the government of India that they have decided they would be better off being part of China. The only thing India is offering them is more power for the autonomous councils. This is economic power, not the political power they so desperately seek.
Historically, the Boro people say they were independent, and they want to be so again. The Indian government is not even thinking about politics, other than their own. The only carrot they dangle in front of the Boro is a little more economic power.
The NDFB said in a press release “Why do the Government of India still fail to identify the legitimate demand of Boroland?”
Accusing the government of discrimination, the release says:
Why is there Constitutional injustice to the Boro and other Tribal people? Is it because the Boro and other tribal people of North East India are of non-Indian origin?
Is the Political discrimination because the Boro and other Tribal people of North east India are of Mongolian origin?
S. Sanjarang, Information and Publicity Secretary of the NDFB (P) lays out information about China’s Special Administrative Regions”
The Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China (SARs) are territories that fall within the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China.
At present, there are two SARs, namely the Hong Kong (SAR) and the Macau (SAR).
Under the One China, Two Systems model, the two SARs continue to possess their own Governments, Multi-Party Legislatures, Legal Systems, Police Forces, Monetary Systems, Separate Customs Territory, Immigration Policies, National Sports Teams, Official Languages, Postal Systems, Academic and Educational Systems, and Substantial Competence in External Relations that are different or independent from the People’s Republic of China.
Since the Independence of India on 15th August 1947 and the Republic of India on 26th January 1950, the Boro and other Tribal people of North East India has always been respecting the National Flag and Constitution of India. Since the Constitution of India is the Guardian of each and every citizen of India, should provide equal political status to the down-trodden Boro and other Tribal People of the North East.
Sanjarang demands some positive action from the government of India towards declaring “Boroland State” in the forthcoming Parliamentary Session. He says this would be a “bold and pragmatic step,” after seven years of inaction, since the peace process was started.
