Telishal (Golaghat), Jan. 23: The recent attacks by the NDFB’s Sonbijit faction and other militant groups in the BTC areas have tarnished the reputation of the Bodo community, president of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Kameswar Brahma, today said.

Brahma was speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony on the second day of the 53rd annual conference of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha here.

“Acts of violence in the BTAD have also posed a barrier to the overall development of Bodos. All militants groups must act sensibly and shun violence in order for the Bodo community to be established as a force to be reckoned with,” Brahma said.

He said the government must adhere to their demands of creating a separate directorate of education for Bodo and other indigenous languages.

A total of 18 books, including Kameswar Brahma’s Bodo Culture, were released on the second day of the conference today. The meeting was presided over by Sabha vice-president Rajen Khaklari. Writer and former Sabha vice-president Toren Boro released the souvenir of the conference, Bishnu-Bijoy Nwgwr.

This year, the Bodo Sahitya Sabha’s Pawan Borgoyari Literature Award was conferred on Bajendra Kumar Brahma, the Rangchar Literature Award went to Birendra Kumar Basumatary, the Someswari Brahma Literature Award was given to Bimal Mushahary and Sanjarang Lakheswar Brahma Cultural Award was given to Naren Chandra Brahma.

An interactive session, attended by Lachit Barua, Janaklal Basumatary and Hiracharan Narzinari, on the topic “In search of history of Bodos” was also held.

Visitors thronged the conference venue from the morning today.