Last-minute arrangements at the NDFB rally site. Picture by P. Brahma Choudhury

Kokrajhar, June 16: The hype surrounding the ?celebration? of the National Democratic Front of Boroland?s truce with Delhi fizzled out on the eve of the big event with several major Bodo organisations declining to participate in it on one pretext or another.

Convened by the All Bodo Peace Forum, the rally in Udalguri had been billed as a show of Bodo unity. A disappointed Bhramon Baglary, secretary of the peace forum, said there was little he or anybody else could do if major organisations withdrew their support at the last minute.

The organisations that have decided not to be a part of the event include the influential All Bodo Students Union, the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), the All Bodo Women?s Welfare Federation and the All Bodo Employees Federation.

The BSS cited ?technical difficulties? for backing out, while the student organisation complained that the organisers did not consult it before chalking out the programme. Neither BSS president Brajendra Brahma nor secretary Govinda Basumatary were available for comment, both having left for New Delhi yesterday to attend a seminar.

Absu secretary Goutam Mushahary said the NDFB?s allegedly unclear stand on key issues was another reason for his organisation?s circumspect response to tomorrow?s rally. ?It is not clear what issues they are going to take to the negotiation table.?

Baglary declined to comment on the attitude of major Bodo organisations to the nascent peace process, but said the rally would certainly be held.

?The recent ceasefire between the NDFB and the Indian government marked the beginning of a process to resolve the Bodo imbroglio through political negotiations. The Bodo Peace Forum would like to welcome this declaration as the first positive step towards peace and also like to express solidarity with the NDFB,? he said.

Baglary said representatives of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, the All Assam Students Union, the Gorkha Students Union and the North East Students Organisation (NESO) were expected to participate in the rally.

The guest list includes new Naga Hoho president Harangse Sangtam, Asam Sahitya Sabha chief Kanaksen Deka, Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti adviser Lachit Bordoloi and NESO president Samujjal Bhattacharyya.

NDFB deputy chief B. Olongbar, one of the signatories to the ceasefire agreement, and his compatriot Sunil Basumatary are expected to be present, too.

The militant group signed a ceasefire agreement for one year, beginning June 1, with Delhi and Dispur on May 24.

The location and number of designated camps for the NDFB are likely to be discussed and made public during the rally. The peace forum has urged various organisations of the region not to call any bandh or strike tomorrow.