Bodo Liberation Tigers Force
Encyclopedia
Bodo Liberation Tigers Force (BLTF), also called Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), was an armed group operating in the Bodo
dominated regions of Assam
which demanded a separate state for the Bodos to be carved out of Assam. The organization came into being on June 18, 1996 under the leadership of Prem Singh Brahma
.
The leaders of the BLT, together with the leaders of All Bodo Students' Union, formed a political party called BPPF.
, marking an end to seven years of insurgency. On the following day, an interim 12‑member executive council of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was formed in Kokrajhar.
A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) for the creation of the BTC was reached at a tripartite meeting held in New Delhi
on February 10, 2003, between the representatives of Union Government, Assam Government and a BLT delegation. The main provisions of the MoS relate 'to creation of the BTC, an autonomous self governing body within the State of Assam and under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India to fulfill economic, educational and linguistic aspirations, socio-cultural and ethnic identity of the Bodos; and to speed up the infrastructure development in BTC area'. The BTC would comprise 3,082 villages in four districts -- Kokrajhar and the three yet to be created - Chirang, Udalguri and Baska. The BTC would have 40 elected representatives and the Assam Government would nominate six more. Of the elected representatives, 30 seats would be reserved for tribals, five for non-tribals and the remaining five would be open for general contest.
Bodo people
The Bodos are an ethnic and linguistic community, early settlers of Assam in the North-East of India. According to the 1991 census, there were 1.2 million Bodos in Assam which makes for 5.3% of the total population in the state. Bodos belong to a larger ethnic group called the Bodo-Kachari. The...
dominated regions of Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
which demanded a separate state for the Bodos to be carved out of Assam. The organization came into being on June 18, 1996 under the leadership of Prem Singh Brahma
Prem Singh Brahma
Prem Singh Brahma was the former leader of the Bodo Liberation Tigers Force and deputy chief from 1994-96. He renounced violence and joined the Congress party later.-External links:* Times of India - April 17, 2007...
.
The leaders of the BLT, together with the leaders of All Bodo Students' Union, formed a political party called BPPF.
Path to peace
On February 10, 2003, representatives of BLTF and the governments of Assam and India signed a Memorandum of Settlement, and 2641 cadres finally laid down arms on December 6, 2003. A vast majority of them were absorbed in the CRPF. On December 6, 2003, 2641 cadres of the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) renounced violence and surrendered along with arms and ammunition at KokrajharKokrajhar
Kokrajhar is a city in Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam, one of the North East States and territories of India.Kokrajhar city is located along the bank of Gourang River. The North East Indian Railways divides the city into two sides, north and the south...
, marking an end to seven years of insurgency. On the following day, an interim 12‑member executive council of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was formed in Kokrajhar.
A Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) for the creation of the BTC was reached at a tripartite meeting held in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
on February 10, 2003, between the representatives of Union Government, Assam Government and a BLT delegation. The main provisions of the MoS relate 'to creation of the BTC, an autonomous self governing body within the State of Assam and under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India to fulfill economic, educational and linguistic aspirations, socio-cultural and ethnic identity of the Bodos; and to speed up the infrastructure development in BTC area'. The BTC would comprise 3,082 villages in four districts -- Kokrajhar and the three yet to be created - Chirang, Udalguri and Baska. The BTC would have 40 elected representatives and the Assam Government would nominate six more. Of the elected representatives, 30 seats would be reserved for tribals, five for non-tribals and the remaining five would be open for general contest.