File picture of Premsing Brahma being lifted by jubilant Bodo supporters in Kokrajhar following the signing of the Bodo Accord in Delhi in 1993

Kokrajhar, April 18: Former militant and Congress leader Premsing Brahma died of a heart attack at Dhaligaon in Chirang district this morning, a fortnight before his 55th birthday.

A secretary in the state Congress, Brahma was one of the most prominent leaders in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

His family today said Brahma had gone to visit a neighbour when the felt intense pain in his chest and died almost immediately.

He was taken to a nursing home where the doctors declared him brought dead.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Born on May 3, 1952, Premsing Brahma was the leader of the Bodo Volunteers Force — the first Bodo militant organisation formed in Kokrajhar district in 1987 — after then All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu) president Upendranath Brahma launched the Bodoland movement on March 2 that year.

While Upendranath Brahma was fighting a losing battle against cancer, Premsing Brahma took charge of the Bodo movement.

He assumed the office of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) chief in 1993 following the resignation of S.K. Bwiswmuthiary and continued in office till 1996.

That year he founded the now-disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) with Bir Chilagang Basumatary as chairman.

Hagrama Mohilary took over as its chairman after Basumatary’s death and went on to become the chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) after the signing of Bodo Accord on February 10, 2003.

Bodo leaders, including Mohilary, his deputy Kampha Borgoyari, Assam transport minister Chandan Brahma, Bodo Sahitya Sabha president Brajendra Kumar Brahma, Absu president Rwngwra Narzary, Rajya Sabha MP Urkhao Gwra Brahma and Rabiram Narzary visited his home today to pay their last respects.

“He was the undisputed leader among the Bodos. His role in leading the Bodoland movement will always be remembered,” said Mohilary.

Absu president Rwngwra Narzary said, “His contribution in the Bodoland movement is beyond compare.”

“His death is a big blow to the Congress in Assam, as he was working to reorganise the party in Bodo belt. It’s a big loss for the party,” a senior party leader said.

The BTC administration declared a half-day holiday today. All offices, including the BTC secretariat and educational institutions, were closed after noon.

The merchants’ association also kept their shutters down as a mark of respect.

The leader will be cremated with state honour tomorrow.