The warning by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi of tough action against those resorting to violence failed to deter protesters, who on Sunday set the office and showroom of Khadi Gram Board on fire at Diphu in the Karbi Anglong district on Sunday.
The protesters, who had damaged rubber plantation and house of Congress MP Birensingh Engti earlier, on Sunday damaged his teak plantation also. Security sources said that fresh violence broke out in Karbi Anglong soon after the warning of chief minister was telecast on local television channels.
In what was indicator of more trouble in making, the Bodo Peoples Front, also a partner in the ruling Congress government, on Sunday organised a large rally at Kokrajhar while announcing to lent their support and active involvement into Bodoland movement in western Assam.
The only Bodo MP, Sansuma Khungur Bwiswmuthiary, who was also present at the rally, said, “I would raise the issue of Bodoland in the parliament tomorrow at any cost. I have already given notice to the Lok Sabha speaker. We will also organise a demonstration outside the parliament on Monday for Bodoland.”
This came a day after Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi claimed that the people of Assam want to live together. Mr Gogoi also warned of stern action against violence in the name of statehood. However, his cabinet minister and BPF leader Chandan Brahma defying his appeal attended the rally for separate Bodoland at Kokrajhar.
The Bodo MLA Parmilla Rani Brahma said that nothing can stop their agitation for a separate state.
It is significant that a 60-hour Assam bandh called by All-Bodo Students Union is going to commence from Monday.
BPF chief Hagrama Mahiliary said, “We would like to make an appeal to all the people living in BTC to extend their full support for separate Bodoland movement.”
The organisers of protest rally at Kokrajhar claimed that more than one lakh people participated in the rally that was called to send a strong signal to New Delhi to look into their demands for separate Bodoland.
Meanwhile, additional paramilitary forces have been rushed to maintain law and order in Western Assam during the bandh. Security forces have made elaborate arrangements.