摘要：I wish to share with you a report of a highly significant and interesting event that was organized by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) on the Gandhi Jayanti Day at Kokrajhar. I had the good fortune of being a participant at this historic occasion. The ABSU having witnessed thoughtless killings and destructions spread over many years has come to strongly feel that this must be stopped. This organization has resolved to start a campaign from Gandhi Jayanti Day to usher in a violence-free society. They had kindly invited me to be the special guest. A senior journalist friend of the North-east Shri Sanat Chakravarty had accompanied us to Kokrajhar. He is the representative of the English daily The Pioneer for the North-eastern region. His report of the event has been carried by today’s edition of The Pioneer (6.10.09). He had sent a copy to me for my information. I find that the reporting has been very well done. He has also placed the entire event in the right perspective. This event is historic because it is for the first time in the North-east that a youth organization has publicly rejected violence and has resolved to invite everyone in their territory to support their campaign for abdication of violence. This fact must be appreciated and encouraged. I am, therefore, giving below the report of The Pioneer for your information and perusal. I am sure you will like to read it. Let me mention a few facts about the Bodo tribe. They are the biggest tribal group in Assam with a population of 12 to 15 lakhs. There are various factions amongst them. All factions except one has opted for leading normal lives. But the violence is going on. In 2009, there were nearly 40 killings. In 2008, there were more than 70 killings. Hence, it would be appreciated how important the ABSU initiative is. The strength of ABSU is 50,000. I have observed that theirs is an efficient, disciplined and well-managed body. I have added these facts so that the background of the ABSU campaign is understood in correct perspective. N.Th.
