“Even though over 70 per cent of the population of the BTC areas comprise non-Bodos, we have been deprived of basic constitutional rights,” MSUA president Abdul Mallik told reporters here.
BTC covers the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. Dhubri district, which is outside BTC along with Kokrajhar and Chirang are the worst affected in the Bodo-immigrant minority violence which has claimed 73 lives so far.
“Many people including BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary have talked of the role of alleged illegal immigrants in the violence. Our point is that if there is illegal immigration from Bangladesh why have leaders like him kept quite all these years and raised the matter only now,” Mallik said.
He blamed Bodo militant groups like the anti-talk faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland for the current conflict and asked the government to be tough against them and seize illegal arms.
The MSUA leader also called for security for displaced persons who are currently sheltering in refugee camps.
“The threat given by some (Bodo) leaders against the return of displaced persons to their original homes is highly condemnable. The government should ensure that lives and properties of displaced persons are safe,” he added.