Centre extends ban on Assam-based NDFB by another 5 years
The Centre has extended a ban on Assam-based Bodo insurgent group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) citing that the terrorist outfit has continued to indulge its involvement in violent activities which includes killings, extortion and joining hands with anti-India forces. The NDFB was declared an outlawed outfit in 1990s, the ban has been extended every five years since then.
Why is NDFB banned?
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended ban on NDBF under provisions of sub-section (1) of section 3 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. MHA also notified that NDFB was indulging in illegal and violent activities intended to disrupt sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. This is in furtherance of NDBF’s objective of achieving a separate Bodoland. The notification also pointed out that since January 2015, NDFB was involved in 62 violent incidents which resulted in killings of 19 civilians and 55 extremists, besides arresting of 450 ultras and confiscation of 444 arms and weapons.
About NDBF
The NDFB, formed in 1986 to obtain a sovereign Boroland for the Bodo people. Since then NDFB has been engaging in unlawful and violent activities thereby undermining the authority of Union Government as well as Government of Assam. It has also been spreading terror and panic among people and continues to indulge in extortion of money from various sections of society with a view to financing and executing its plans for the creation of a separate Bodoland resulting in killings and destruction of properties of non-Bodos, inhabiting the Bodo-dominated areas in Assam. Moreover, it still continues to embark on a systematic drive for recruitment of fresh cadres with a view to continue its terrorist and insurgency activities.
Assam Government to launch Arundhati Swarna Yojana
Assam Government has announced to launch ‘Arundhati Swarna Yojana’ on 1 January 2020. Under this scheme, state government will give each beneficiary bride fixed amount to buy 10 grams (one tola) of gold during her marriage if the marriage is registered. The scheme will cost around Rs 800 crore annually on the state government exchequer.
About Arundhati Swarna Yojana
Objective: It is aimed to strengthen women empowerment and reduce child marriage.
Features: Under this scheme, State government will not give the gold directly to beneficiary bride but will provide Rs. 30,000 to purchase 10 gms of gold. To avail this benefit, the eligible bride and bridegroom must apply for the scheme before the date of their wedding.
Eligibility Criteria of the scheme: (i) The annual income of the bride’s family must be less than Rs. 5 lakh. (ii) Minimum age should be 18 years and 21 years for the bride and bridegroom respectively. (iii) Bride should have minimum education of 10th standard. However, this requirement of minimum educational qualification criteria is not required for tribes and workers of tea gardens. (iv) Family has to register their marriage under the Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954.