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ABSU withdraws hunger strike
STAFF Reporter
GUWAHATI, Aug 24 – The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) withdrew its indefinite hunger strike today after the announcement of the dates for tripartite talks with the organisations agitating for creation of separate states. The central committee of the ABSU is scheduled to meet on August 27 to decide its future course of action.
Talking to The Assam Tribune after withdrawal of the hunger strike, ABSU president Promode Boro said that the organisation has received a letter from the Deputy Commissioner, Kokrajhar, mentioning the schedule of talks with the agitating groups. Talks with the ABSU would be held on September 4 and a meeting with the Bodo National Conference would be held on September 5.

Boro said that creation of a separate state would not be the only issue to be raised by the ABSU at the tripartite talks. He said that the issues of granting scheduled tribe status to the Bodos living in Karbi Anglong, bringing the Mising, Rabha and Tiwa councils under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, setting up of a Central University, Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management, medical college etc., in the Bodoland area, construction of sports facilities, more powers to the existing autonomous councils in the State etc., would be raised by the ABSU at the tripartite meeting.

Meanwhile, the Bodo National Conference (BNC) has expressed its desire to join hands with the ABSU in the movement for a separate state.