KOKRAJHAR/GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced scheduled tribe status for Bodos, Karbis and Mikirs living outside their core areas as he virtually kicked off his campaign ahead of Assam polls in April.He made the announcement in Kokrajhar, the scene of frequent violence between Bodos and Bengali Muslims. The two communities left behind their decades-old rivalry to hear Modi despite a 12-hour bandh that a confederation of non-Bodo organizations had called to stop people from attending the Prime Minister’s rally in Bodoland.Matlib Ali (50), a survivor of the 2008 anti-Muslim violence, said he came to Kokrajhar from Udalguri to hear the Prime Minister. He was seated beside Bodo farmer Thaneswar Brahma.“Both communities have realized the futility of bloody clashes for land or any other issue because both have suffered irreparable losses. The best option for us is to sit together and hear the Prime Minister speak of development,” Ali said.Modi’s rally came days after the BJP finalised its alliance with Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) in Delhi on Sunday.An estimated two lakh people attended the rally even as the Prime Minister did not announce Rs 1,000-crore package that BJP had promised to BPF after finalising the alliance.BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary was clueless why Modi did not announce the package. “Maybe there were some technical difficulties in making an announcement before the annual budget,’’ he said. He said they were promised Rs 1,000-crore financial assistance for Bodoland Territorial Council he heads.“We have to spend the money over three years. This amount will be included in the coming budget for the next fiscal. If we can utilize the money in the first year, we will be given more funds.’’Mohilary, a former militant who urged Modi to grant tribal status to adivasis and Koch Rajbongshis. said they are hopeful Modi would speak about the package when he returns to Assam next month.The Prime Minister announced an airstrip at Rupshree in Dhubri district bordering Kokrajhar would be upgraded to an airport for both Air Force and civilian use.In Guwahati, Modi promised to put Assam on fast track to development by using its water resources, improving connectivity, infrastructure and creating jobs.“The Kanchanjunga express, which now runs between Howrah and Guwahati, will run up to Silchar in Barak Valley,’’ said Modi at a BJP youth rally.Modi wore a traditional waistcoat, recited an Assamese poem and peppered his speech with Bhogali Bihu wishes in the local language much to the delight of the people at the rally.He reiterated the need to develop eastern India and said balanced growth could not be achieved if Assam lagged behind.Modi said a second green revolution would be key to development in the eastern region and Assam would play a major role in it.Separately, several organizations, including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu), protested against Modi’s visit.“During the last Lok Sabha election, Modi visited Assam and promised to give us statehood. After coming to power, he has been silent on this issue,” said Absu president Pramod Boro.Hundreds of KMSS activists sat in front of the Kamrup deputy commissioner’s office at Amingaon to protest against Lower Subansiri Hydropower Project and Power Grid Corporation of India.“We have been opposing the construction of a mega dam on the Subansiri River as it risks the future of Assam and its people,” said KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.