A marchpast by NDFB cadre to mark the 21st raising day of the outfit at Borbori in Assam’s Baksa district on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Kokrajhar, Oct. 3: The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) today reiterated its demand for an independent Bodoland, saying it was the only way to permanent peace.

Speaking on the occasion of the outfit’s 21st raising day, NDFB chairman Ranjan Daimary alias D.R. Nabla said: “Only independent Bodoland can bring permanent peace. So Bodoland is the component part of peace. Bodoland is an important part of laying the foundation for peace. So let us talk of independent and sovereign Boroland.”

In his speech, e-mailed to the media, Daimary said the outfit had entered into a ceasefire with the government for the sake of peace. But Delhi had made no effort to resolve its problems.

“Not even a single formal political talk has taken place in the past three years. Instead of expediting the political process, the Indian government is just talking about the charter of demands. Ceasefire is not an end in itself. It can’t bring peace. Only independent Bodoland can bring permanent peace,” he said.

Daimary called on the members of the outfit to “ignite the spirit of 1986 and take a pledge afresh to realise the dream of scores of martyrs”.

The outfit was formed on October 3, 1986, as the Bodo Security Force under the leadership of Daimary. It rechristened itself as the NDFB on November 25, 1994.

Daimary’s message to the outfit’s cadres, read out at the NDFB designated camp at Borbori in Baksa district of Assam, said: “The foundation day is not only a day for celebration and jubilation. It is also a day for vows. It is also a day to renew our spirit to fight for our right — freedom. If the French revolution can be considered as the rose in the bush, the NDFB can be considered a rose in the bush for the Bodo people.

The foundation of the NDFB has unleashed new forces and destroyed old ideas. It has offered new promises.”