India / PM Modi hails Bodo accord, says it will usher new dawn of peace and harmony

Hours after the Union government signed a peace accord with Bodo insurgent groups, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the decision, saying that the agreement will usher in a new dawn of peace, harmony and togetherness.

The government on Monday signed an accord with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), one of the dreaded insurgent groups of Assam, providing political and economic bonanza sans a separate state or Union Territory.

PM Modi said that the accord will bring "transformative results for the Bodo people".

Bodo Accord inked today stands out for many reasons.

It successfully brings together the leading stakeholders under one framework.

Those who were previously associated with armed resistance groups will now be entering the mainstream and contributing to our nation’s progress. pic.twitter.com/h7hCRI1o5H

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2020

Ushering in a new dawn of peace, harmony and togetherness!

Today is a very special day for India.

The Accord with Bodo groups, which has been inked today will lead to transformative results for the Bodo people. pic.twitter.com/Y0QYlWvYqU

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2020

The Accord with Bodo groups will further protect and popularise the unique culture of the Bodo people.

They will get access to a wide range of development oriented initiatives.

We are committed to doing everything possible to help the Bodo people realise their aspirations. pic.twitter.com/icZFHD1J04

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2020

The prime minister also wrote that the Bodo accord will be successful as it brings together "leading stakeholders under one framework".He said it will allow for the mainstreaming of groups that had previously waged an armed resistance in the region.

The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), which has been spearheading a movement for a Bodoland state since 1972, and another group called United Bodo People's Organisation were also signatories to the accord. In a series of tweets, the prime minister said the accord with Bodo groups will further protect and popularise the unique culture of the Bodo people.

"They will get access to a wide range of development-oriented initiatives. We are committed to doing everything possible to help the Bodo people realise their aspirations," he said. In the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the tripartite agreement was signed by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the top leadership of the four factions of the NDFB, ABSU, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry Satyendra Garg and Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna.

The home minister described the agreement as "historic" and it will bring a permanent solution to the decades-old problems of the Bodo people.

"This agreement will facilitate all-round development of the Bodo areas, their language and culture will be protected without compromising the territorial integrity of Assam," he said.

The home minister said due to the violence perpetrated by the Bodo militants, over 4,000 people lost their lives in the past few decades.