Kokrajhar: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the all-round development of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), announcing a ₹1,000 crore allocation for the region as Assam marked the 24th Bodoland Day. The day commemorates the signing of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Accord on February 10, 2003.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that the government remains dedicated to the welfare of Bodoland, inspired by the ideals of Bodofa Upendranath Brahma and guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasising the larger development narrative, Dr. Sarma stated, “A Viksit BTR equals a Viksit Assam,” underscoring the strategic importance of Bodoland in the state’s growth trajectory.
The main celebration was held at Green Field, Bodofa Nwgwr in Kokrajhar, where around 50,000 people gathered to mark the occasion. Similar programmes were organised across 10 district and sub-divisional headquarters under the Bodoland Territorial Council, reflecting widespread public participation.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sarma recalled that the BTC Accord was signed during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, which ushered in a new era of peace and development in the region after years of unrest. He highlighted several major initiatives undertaken since then, including the creation of four new districts—Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri—which brought administrative decentralisation and better governance closer to the people.
The Chief Minister outlined significant progress in education and healthcare, citing the establishment of two universities, two medical colleges, an engineering college, and the Central Institute of Technology (CIT) as key milestones. He said these institutions have transformed access to higher education and medical facilities in the BTR.
Stressing the importance of infrastructure for sustainable development, Dr. Sarma announced that the Assam government would release ₹1,000 crore in the current financial year specifically for the construction and upgradation of roads and bridges in the Bodoland region. He also urged BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary to include this commitment as a special promise in the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) election manifesto.
Dr. Sarma further noted that the first Executive Council of the BTC was formed under the leadership of Hagrama Mohilary, and since then, the region has witnessed tangible improvements in quality of life. He said the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah significantly accelerated development, leading to the creation of Tamulpur as a new district, completion of Kokrajhar Medical College, and initiatives to establish a mini secretariat of Bodoland and a Bodoland University campus in Udalguri.
Speaking on the occasion, BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary described Bodoland Day as a historic milestone, recalling that the BTC was constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution as an outcome of the long-standing Bodoland movement. He said that prior to the BTC Accord, the region had suffered from neglect and underdevelopment, but since 2003, it has made remarkable progress across sectors.
Mohilary highlighted the five guarantees promised by the BPF-led BTC government, which include land pattas for genuine landless citizens, financial assistance to youth and women, support for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and aid for economically weaker sections.
During the celebrations, beneficiaries of these schemes were ceremonially handed cheques and certificates. Youth received ₹2 lakh each under the youth empowerment scheme for self-employment ventures, while financial assistance was also distributed to women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections. Land titling certificates were issued to eligible BTC residents. The cheques were distributed by BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary, executive members, and MLAs.
Adding a cultural dimension to the event, master trainers and dancers of Bagurumba Dwhou were felicitated with ₹10,000 each in recognition of their contribution to preserving Bodo cultural heritage.
The 24th Bodoland Day celebrations thus highlighted both the historical significance of the BTC Accord and the renewed push for inclusive development, with the ₹1,000 crore allocation signalling a major infrastructure boost for the Bodoland region.
