Kokrajhar, March 5: The Bodoland Peoples’ Progressive Front today said it will contest eight constituencies in the Assembly elections, scheduled for April 4 and 11.

BPPF president Rabiram Narzary told reporters here that the party would field candidates in eight of the 12 seats under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and will support like-minded parties in the rest. The constituencies include Gossaigaon, Kokrajhar (West), Kokrajhar (East), Sidli, Bijni, Chapaguri, Kalaigaon and Mazbat. The names of the candidates will be announced next week.

“We are confident of winning in these eight constituencies and in the rest we will support the non-Congress and non-BPF parties,” he said.

The BPPF, however, said it would not enter into a formal alliance with any political party and will keep its options open. “We are discussing with the AGP, CPM, UDPF and others for an understanding and we hope to get help and cooperation from like-minded Opposition parties,” Narzary said.

The BPPF also expressed apprehension of violence and sought deployment of adequate security forces in the Bodo belt. Narzary hoped the situation would be more peaceful this time with the Election Commission’s new guidelines. He urged the commission to identify outfits and individuals who might create trouble.

In another news meet, deputy commissioner Donald Gilfellon stressed the need for more security measures as the area was prone to violence. He said he had issued orders to seize all arms and put behind bars all individuals with non-bailable warrants in their names by March 10. The district has 1,043 licensed arms and 407 cases of non-bailable warrants. He appealed to the people to co-operate in conducting free and fair polls.