Kokrajhar, Oct. 14: Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohilary today gave up his security cover in protest against its drastic reduction, allegedly without his knowledge, and lashed out at the Congress government in Assam for creating an atmosphere for his "political murder".

Alleging that the move was politically motivated and a conspiracy of the Congress government, the former militant leader-turned-politician said, "With the withdrawal of the security personnel, my life is in danger. The Assam government is creating an atmosphere for my political murder before the Assembly elections in the state next year."

The issue was discussed in the autumn session of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Legislative Assembly here today.#

Mohilary, who is also president of the Bodoland Peoples Front which has 11 MLAs in Dispur and who enjoys cabinet minister status as the BTC chief, said he used to have two sections (26) of house guards at his Debargaon residence, 18 house guards at his official residence at Sudempuri and three personal security officers. "But recently the strength of the personnel and the weapons provided were reduced drastically without valid reason andmy knowledge," he said.

Mohilary declared that he was giving up the entire security provided to him as it was beneath his dignity to "accept the mockery entrusted to me". He said if anything happens to him, the state government would be held solely responsible.

Earlier, raising the issue in the House, BTC deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary said the security cover of the BTC chief and deputy chief, who enjoys cabinet minister status, had been reducedto half despite the Bodoland Territorial Areas District being a disturbed area.

"We can say that we don't have security to life after the security cover were lifted," Borgoyary told the House.

Opposition member Rwngwra Narzary also expressed concern over the development. HesaidBTC members have only onesecurityman each.

The House urged the Speaker to take up the issue with the state government and restore the security cover.

The session began this morning with question hour. The functioning of the House was disrupted for over 15 minutes over the selection of Village Council Development Committee (VCDC) and Territorial Council-level Coordination Committee (TCLCC) members after Opposition member Chakradhar Das raised the issue and other Opposition members demanded proper answers to the query.

Opposition member Guneswar Goyary asked Mohilary about the utilisation of council development funds from 2010 to 2015. The BTC chief replied that the funds were utilised properly and there was no need for the Opposition to worry.