Kokrajhar, Dec. 16: The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), an ally in the ruling coalition in Assam, today carried out a protest rally against extortion, kidnapping and killings by extremist groups in the Bodo belt.

The rally comes in the wake of 30 doctors of Rupnath Brahma civil hospital abstaining from duty after alleged extortion calls by militants.

The rally started from the BPF central party office here to the deputy commissioner’s office where a memorandum was submitted to chief minister Tarun Gogoi through Kokrajhar deputy commissioner Donald Gilfellon.

BTC chief and BPF president Hagrama Mohilary participated in the rally along with party workers and supporters. Talking to reporters later, he expressed concern over the law and order situation and extortion threats.

He alleged that the NDFB (Progressive) was not following the ceasefire groundrules and was also in involved in illegal activity in some areas, especially in Baksa and Udalguri districts.

Asked why a ruling party was organising a protest rally, he said, “The BTC has no power to deal with law and order problems as it is not a BTC subject. The administration can only inform the state government about the situation but cannot deal with the matter.” Mohilary said he would discuss the matter with the chief minister on December 18.

Local legislator Pramila Rani Brahma termed extortion as “shameful” and those involved in it as “dacoits”.