Kokrajhar, May 26: The Ex-BLT Welfare Society has urged the Centre and the state government to withdraw all the pending cases related to the Bodoland movement and the former cadres of erstwhile Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT).

"The governments, both in Delhi and Assam, should take immediate action to withdraw all the cases pending in different courts of law against the Bodo people, including the former cadres of erstwhile BLT with immediate effect," said Ex-BLT Welfare Society president Janamohan Mushahary in Kokrajhar today.

Mushahary said around 3,000 BLT members joined the mainstream by surrendering arms and ammunition to the government after the historic Bodo Accord was signed between the Centre, the Assam government and the BLT on February 10, 2003. Signing of the accord paved the way for peace and development in the region.

"The withdrawal of cases is part of the clauses of the tripartite memorandum of settlement (MoS) of the Accord," he said, adding that though many cases had been dismissed, several cases were still pending in various courts, which is against the spirit of the Bodo Accord.

Mushahary, however, did not divulge how many cases were still pending.

Dispur, on November 27, 2003, through an official notification, announced a general amnesty and withdrawal of cases registered against persons related to the Bodoland movement since 1987. Subsequently, cases against some leading BLT leaders were withdrawn to facilitate their participation in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls in 2005.

Bodo organisations have been asserting from time to time that withdrawing all the pending cases against ex-BLT members and supporters of the Bodo movement is an important clause of the MoS.

"We are hopeful that the new BJP-BPF-AGP government in Assam and the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre will implement the clauses of the Accord and fulfil the commitment," he said.

The Ex-BLT Welfare Society's demand came a few days after the new government in Assam assumed office. The Bodoland People's Front, which is now part of the new government, mostly comprises former BLT leaders. BPF president Hagrama Mohilary had also led the BLT as its chairman.

Mushahary called upon the Centre to negotiate with all the militant groups in Assam, including the NDFB, Ulfa, Kamtapur Liberation Organisation for a peaceful and lasting solution.

He also assured that full cooperation would be extended to the new government in Assam.