ABSU to convene National Seminar on Bodoland issues in New Delhi today

The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) will convene a National Seminar on issues of Bodoland today at Mavalankar Auditorium, Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi. The Seminar, entitled “Conflict in Bodoland, issue of influx and land alienation in Assam: Problems and Perspectives,” is scheduled to commence from 10.30 am to 3 pm.

The day long National Seminar is being organized in the backdrop of the recent riots in the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Council (BTAD).

A Press invitation of the ABSU reads “The National Seminar is being conducted in view of current volatile situation in Assam due to conflicts, in particular in the Bodo dominated areas. The issue of influx and massive land alienation of the tribals have become burning topic today. The recent conflict in the lower districts of Assam and Bodoland in particular has sparked the flame of fresh mass movement against the illegal influx in the entire state. On the other hand, the question of rehabilitation of the displaced people has become a big challenge for the government of the day. Encompassing all these issues, an inclusive discussion has been felt most necessary to arrive at a rational conclusion of the problems.”

The Seminar, chaired by Prof. Sanjoy Hazarika, Director, Centre for North East Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, will be inaugurated by G.K. Pillai, former Home Secretary, Government of India and Lt. Gen. S. K. Singha, former Governor of Assam and Jammu and Kashmir will be the Chief Guest. Other speakers include R. N. Ravi (IPS), former Special Director of Intelligence Bureau; Dr. Chandan Mitra, Member of Parliament and Editor-in-Chief of The Pioneer; U. G. Brahma, former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha); Suhas Chakma, Director, Asian Centre for Human Rights, Lt. Gen, D. B. Shekatkar; B. G. Varghese, Columnist and Author; Dr Samujjal Bhatacharjya, Adviser, All Assam Students’ Union; Nitin Gokhle Editor Defence, NDTV; Samudra Gupta Kashyap, Senior Journalist, Indian Express; Sanjay Nahar, Founder President, SARHAD, Pune and many other intellectuals.