Welcome to the designated camp of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), one of the most powerful militant groups of the North East, now staying away from the election process.

The first phase of Asom poll was flawless prompting Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to give credit to the NDFB for their 'hands off' approach.

In this sprawling campus, there are activities relating to agriculture, even as tough Bodo youths zoom past on motorcycles.

Each of them is a militant, now inside this designated camp, channelising their energy from ambush and bomb making to agrarian activities and waiting for the start of the actual peace process with the Centre.

''We are expecting peace talks to begin as our cease fire agreement of one year ends on July 1. Till then we are strictly following the ground rules and one of them is not interfering with the election process,'' said Govinda Basumatary, NDFB Secretary General.

The NDFB controls vast areas and if they wish to interfere, electioneering is near impossible in at least 25 constituencies along the Indo-Bhutan border. ''But we will not. We believe in cease-fire. We do not believe in these elections. We have asked our cadres not to support any party and even independent candidates should not be supported,'' he said.

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