"The Army Is Harassing People"

What difference has the Unified Command made to the Bodo agitation?

The Army has been given absolute powers by the state to crush Bodo aspirations. People are being harassed.

Are you still hopeful of a separate Bodo state?

Regardless of what the Government does, our dream will come true. If Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal could be carved out of Assam, why not Bodoland?

Why do Bodos want to part ways with Assam?

Assam is governed by completely chauvinistic considerations. Bodo areas have been neglected, Bodos have been ignored, the Bodo language has been stifled by Assamese governments. If there’s a referendum, we’ll have a sweeping victory.

You headed the Bodo Autonomous Council. What did you do?

We didn’t have the power or money to do anything. We asked for Rs 50 crore, we didn’t get a paise. We got caught in the clash between S.B. Chavan and Rajesh Pilot.

What should be done now?

To bring peace, we need some power. There should be tripartite political dialogue involving the Centre, the state, and the All- Bodo Students’ Union and all those who share the demand. The initiative should come from the state.

Are you talking to the United Front Government?

Railway Minister Ram Vilas Paswan says: "Ours is a coalition Government, we’ve our pressures." The Asom Gana Parishad is part of the UF. The Centre may not be able to do what it wants because it would displease the AGP.

Should you get a separate state, how will you deal with those demanding a sovereign nation?

A separate nation is beyond anybody’s imagination. The solution lies within the Indian Constitution. There’s only one solution: peace. That’s not just a Bodo demand; it’s everybody’s demand.