With the Centre deciding to intiate the process for a separate Telengana, Bodos, Dimasas and Karbis have revived their long-standing demand for separate states carved out of Assam.
The demand for a separate Bodo state was raised in the Assam assembly by Bodoland Peoples Front(BPF), the coalition partner of the ruling Congress on Friday .
Transport Minister Chandan Brahma, who belongs to the BPF, told the house that the creation of a Bodo state was possible and the matter should be considered by the government.
"Our demand for a state was much older than that of Telangana ... If Telangana could be created, there is no reason why the Bodos cannot have their own state. We had accepted the Bodoland Territorial Ccouncil under the Sixth Schedule as the then NDA government at the Centre had said there was no policy for creation of another state," he said.
BPF president Hagram Mohilary said, "We are happy for the people of Telangana and now that the Centre has approved the creation of Telangana state, a separate Bodoland state should also be created."
The Nunisa faction of Dimasa Halam Daoga (DHD) and United Peoples' Democratic Solidarity said they would revive their demand for separate Dimasa and Karbi states respectively.
The pro-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland, the DHD(J) and Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front(KLNLF) are also demanding separate Bodoland, Dimasa and Karbi states respectively.
The chief of DHD(Nunisa), Dilip Nunisa has said the creation of Telengana would inspire his supporters to realise their 20-year old demand for a separate 'Dimaraji' state.
The 'Dimaraji' state should be formed keeping in mind the amalgamation of the Diamsa-inhabited areas of NC Hills and the adjoining areas of Cachar, Nagaon and Karbi Anglong and Dhansiri locality in Nagaland where the Dimasas are now in majority, he said.
"If the statehood demand for Telangana can be met, then why is the Centre delaying the creation of Dimaraji state which we have been demanding since 1989," Nunisa added.
Echoing Nunisa, UPDS joint secretary Tung-eh Nongloda said the creation of Telengana had given it new hope and its demand for a separate Karbi state would be renewed.
"We see no reason why we should not get a Karbi state now," he added.
The Bodos, Karbi and Dimasa tribes have autonomous councils created under the sixth schedule after years of demanding a separate state. Several militant outfits also operate in these areas to realise their statehood demands. PTI
