The Tripartite Bodo Accord, signed in 2020, is a peace treaty between the Assam State Government, Central Government, and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland. It aims to put an end to separatist demands from the Bodo-Kachari community and bring peace to the region. The accord presents a new model of power sharing and governance in Assam under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The Bodo parties to the agreement include the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), the United Bodo People’s Organisation (UBPO), and all four factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). The accord reduces the dependence of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) on the State government for funds, provides scope for expansion of the territory, and empowers the BTC to have a say in the appointment of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police. However, the Home and Police departments will continue to be with the State government.

Implications of the Accord

The augmented area and powers of the BTC under the new accord may trigger fresh aspirations in the nine autonomous councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram to graduate to the new model. This is likely to have an impact on the existing power-sharing arrangements between the governments and the autonomous councils constituted under the Sixth Schedule in these States.

The peace accord has brought the curtain down on over three decades of insurgency in Bodoland areas, which is critical for the return of peace in the Bodo heartland.

What is the Bodo issue?

Bodos are the single largest community among the notified Scheduled Tribes in Assam, and they constitute about 5-6% of Assam’s population. The first organised demand for a Bodo state came in 1967-68 under the banner of the political party Plains Tribals Council of Assam. In 1987, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) led by Upendra Nath Brahma revived the Bodo statehood demand.

Tripartite Bodo Accord: What You Should Know
Courtesy:Olive Greens
What is the BTC?

The BTC is an autonomous body under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. There have been two Bodo Accords earlier, and the second one led to the formation of BTC. The ABSU-led movement from 1987 culminated in a 1993 Bodo Accord, which paved the way for a Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC), but ABSU withdrew its agreement and renewed its demand for a separate state.

In 2003, the second Bodo Accord was signed by the extremist group Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), the Centre, and the state. This led to the formation of the BTC. The Bodo Peace Accord signed in 2020 is an extension of the existing agreement of 2003.

What is the Sixth Schedule?
  • The Sixth Schedule was enacted in 1949.
  • The aim of the Sixth Schedule is to protect indigenous groups.
  • Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) were established through the Sixth Schedule.
  • The Sixth Schedule provides significant autonomy to indigenous tribes.
  • The Sixth Schedule currently applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
  • Assam has three ADCs: Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council.
  • Meghalaya has three ADCs: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
  • Tripura has one ADC: Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
  • Mizoram has three ADCs: Chakma Autonomous District Council, Lai Autonomous District Council, and Mara Autonomous District Council.
Why In News

The representatives of Bodo organizations signed a tripartite accord with the Central and Assam governments, which presents a novel power-sharing and governance model in Assam under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

MCQs about Tripartite Bodo Accord

  1. The Sixth Schedule was enacted in 1949 to protect which of the following groups?
    A. Indigenous groups
    B. Immigrants
    C. Foreign investors
    D. Government officials
    Correct Answer: A. Indigenous groups
    Explanation: The Sixth Schedule was enacted in 1949 to protect indigenous groups through the establishment of autonomous administrative divisions known as Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
  2. Which states in India does the Sixth Schedule currently apply to?
    A. Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura
    B. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh
    C. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh
    D. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal
    Correct Answer: A. Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura
    Explanation: The Sixth Schedule currently applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
  3. Which of the following is an example of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) established under the Sixth Schedule in Assam?
    A. Garo Hills Autonomous District Council
    B. Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council
    C. Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council
    D. Lai Autonomous District Council
    Correct Answer: C. Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council
    Explanation: Assam has the Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council, which are examples of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) established under the Sixth Schedule.
  4. What is the new model of power sharing and governance presented by the tripartite accord signed by Bodo organizations with the Central and Assam governments?
    A. Assam Model
    B. Bodo Model
    C. Sixth Schedule Model
    D. Indian Model
    Correct Answer: B. Bodo Model
    Explanation: The tripartite accord signed by Bodo organizations with the Central and Assam governments presents a new model of power sharing and governance in Assam under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which is referred to as the Bodo Model.

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