Members of the interim Bodoland Territorial Area District take oath at a mass rally in Kokrajhar on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Kokrajhar, Dec. 7: Yesterday’s militant could be tomorrow’s Black Cat commando.

The director-general of the National Security Guards (NSG) today held out hope for surrendered members of the Bodo Liberation Tigers, saying each of them had the potential to walk into the country’s elite commando force.

Ranjit Shekhar Mushahary, whose exploits have made him a role model for Bodo youth, said: “The NSG ranks comprise the best of personnel from different security wings. If the Centre and the Assam government launch a special recruitment drive for the surrendered youth, they can be later inducted into the NSG.”

The Union home ministry has reportedly decided to recruit 350 former members of the BLT, which was ceremoniously disbanded yesterday, as special police officers.

Mushahary supported the decision, saying the surrendered militants had it in them to be groomed into crack security personnel. “The power of the youth should be used in constructive and development work. Youth power is being misused in this part of the region, which has resulted in a destructive atmosphere of violence. I urge the youth of Bodoland to utilise the energy for the development of Bodoland.”

The NSG chief, who became an IPS officer of the Kerala cadre in 1967, believes the new administrative set-up in the Bodo heartland will usher in prosperity and harmony among the different communities residing in the area.

“I believe the Bodoland area will change for the better because of this accord (the BLT’s February 10 pact with Delhi and Dispur). It offers autonomy and the enthusiasm that I saw on the faces of the people reveal that they are ready to work with full commitment,” he said.

The director-general had a word of advice for the Ulfa and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), too. Citing the BLT example, he said both militant groups should come to the negotiation table with their grievances for the sake of peace and prosperity in the region as a whole.

Mushahary, hailing from Udalguri village under Gossaigaon subdivision of Kokrajhar district, was among those who witnessed the formation of the Bodoland interim council.

People from all walks of life gathered at Debargaon to celebrate the formation of the council, headed by former BLT chairman Hagrama Basumatary. One of the organisers of the event described it as the biggest ever gathering of its kind in the area. “They used every possible means of transport — buses, trucks and what-have-you — to participate in the historic occasion.”

Bodo boys and girls trained to maintain order escorted the VIPs to their seats. The guests and representatives of the media occupied the front row, while the next couple of rows of seats were reserved for the 2,630 militants who surrendered yesterday. They came in plain clothes, but still stood apart from the rest because of their caps.

Cultural troupes representing different communities, including Assamese, Bodo, Rabha, Bengali, Santhali and Garo, entertained the public. As soon as the chief guests arrived, a group of 100 Bodo girls in traditional finery performed the Bagurumba. Lower Assam commissioner Emily Choudhury administered the oath of office to the 12-member executive council. Basumatary was the first to take oath. His deputy Chandan Brahma followed, while the rest took oath together.

After the ceremony, Basumatary and Brahma joined the guests on the dais. Both gleefully posed for the cameras along with deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, chief minister Tarun Gogoi and the Governor, Lt Gen. (retd) Ajai Singh.