Extortion by NDFB (P), UDPF in the name of PJACBM

With much disturbance, serious concern and great astonishment, it has come to our notice that a news item related to our organization appeared in certain local and regional news papers published on 29^th January 2013 where one hour protest dharna held in front of the Chirang DC Office organized by a little known organization “Co-ordination Committee for Peace and Harmony” was mentioned. As per the news papers’ report, the said organization held an hour dharna to protest against alleged extortion by NDFB (P), UDPF in the name of PJACBM. 

We the undersigned finance sub committee convenors of the Peoples’ Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement would like to make the following statement for clarification on the above mention reports.

By going through the news papers’ report, it appears to us as if Mr. Chandan Brahma, the Hon’ble Minister of Assam in the name of Co-ordination Committee for Peace and Harmony is trying to “Woo” a certain section of People to create hatred, confusion and barrier against the growing united voice for the Separate State of Boroland presently the movement of which is popularly led by PJACBM.

It is too unfortunate and shameful to observe that a Militant turned Politician of today having sufficient experiences of once leading a movement for separate state of Bodoland has now pretending  to be an innocent of how Civil Society Organizations run their agitational programmes with people’s contribution or donation. It appears to us as if Mr. Brahma is pseudo projecting himself as “Messiah” of so-called organization “Co-ordination Committee for Peace and Harmony”, to malign a Democratic, Non-violent and Peaceful Movement organization i.e.,“Peoples’ Joint Action Committee For Boroland Movement (PJACBM)”, mandated by the lakhs of the Boroland supporters –now he is brandishing it to be a terrorist organization.

It is very much un-becoming of Mr. Brahma being an Hon’ble Minister of State of Assam, who is not only a responsible authority but also a responsible leader, who appears to be having no knowledge about the differences between the words “contribution or donation and extortion”. The People’s Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement indeed urged its supporters and well wishers to willingly extend their moral, physical, intellectual and financial assistant during its recently held Delhi Dharna of 11^th December 2012. We have never- ever demanded any single paise by issuing extortion or demand notes as alleged by him which is a total lie, defamatory, fabricated, politically motivated and a clear evil design to malign the reputation and popularity of the organization, which is in fact spearheading the mass movement of the 46 years old legitimate demand of the separate State of Boroland.

The words “Extortion” and “Terrorist” do not have any relevancy with the act of urging donation for supporting the democratic movement carryout by PJACBM. 

PJACBM would like to urge Mr. Brahma to have a clear understanding of the meaning of the word “Extortion” before accusing some one with such allegation. The word “Extortion” is a criminal offence of unlawfully obtaining money, property, or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion, where

·         Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime groups.

·         Extortion always involves a written or verbal threat.

      PJACBM is neither issuing any demand note by issuing threat nor it is any organized criminal group. It is a purely a democratic, non-violent and peaceful movement organization which is a conglomeration of 52 civil society organizations belonging to various ethnic groups living in proposed Boroland.

Seeing the momentum and positive impact of the mass- movement for separate State of Boroland lead by PJACBM, and the growing mass- support towards PJACBM, certain groups of peoples in the locality seems to be apprehensive of losing their grip over their vested interest. We have been closely observing that few individuals who are opposing the creation of separate state of Boroland are rather stooping too low to incite communal hatred and social tension, causing law and order situation to sabotage the long standing aspiration of separate State of Boroland. 

It is vividly clear that few individuals and some anti Boroland forces are very much against the idea of long- cherished, peaceful tri-partite talk to be held on 31^st January, 2013, towards the creation of separate Boroland State.

            Through this press release, we would like to urge all the concern stake holders including the authority and the peace loving common people of Boroland not to be misled and provoked by such misleading propaganda by handful selfish so- called leaders who are not only divisive but also provocative and contagious to the peace, unity and tranquility of the peaceful society like that of ours..

            We also urge the general public to remain alert and report against those few anti-social elements who themselves are often indulged in creating public nuisance, extortion and other anti-social activities to ensure in maintaining peace and harmony among all section of people in the proposed Boroland by defying their unholy dictum. 

                     Sd/-                                  Sd/-                           Sd/-                                         sd/-

        (Garjan Mashahary)                    (K.C.Boro)                  (Shekar Sharma)                 (Suman Adhitya Mech)

Convenor & Finance Secretary      Convenor (Finance)        Convenor (Finance)                 Convenor (Finance)