Kokrajhar, Oct. 20: A four-member delegation of the NDFB (Progressive) led by its general secretary B. Swmkhwr today met Union tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahai at his residence in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum demanding an early political solution of the Bodoland problem.

The memorandum, signed by the outfit’s general secretary B. Swmkhwr and information and publicity secretary, requested to expedite the NDFB (P)’s dialogue with the Union government for an early solution to the Bodoland issue.

“Expedite the NDFB (P)’s dialogue, hold the talks at the political level, appoint a politician or a statesman the mediator for an early resolution of the long-standing Bodoland issue for the interest of peace and development of the region,” it said.

The memorandum said the Bodos and other indigenous peoples of Assam have been restive on the demand for a separate state for the people living on the north bank of the Brahmaputra since 1967.

“Forty-five years have passed but the issue has still not been resolved resulting in a situation of turbulence and uncertainty even today in the region,” it said.

Urging the government to speed up the peace talks, it said, “The NDFB (P) has been in dialogue for six years on the demand for the Bodoland state according to the provision of Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution but unfortunately the talks are not moving forward. Only a Bodoland state will guarantee the Bodos and other indigenous communities their dignity and self-respect as well as peace and stability in the region.

The delegation also requested to intervene and expedite the finalising of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University regional centre at Bhairankunda in Udalguri.