A Correspondent
Donkamukam: “There were days where the Karbis, Bodos and Dimasas were demanding nothing but State within a State and I believe that their demands have almost been fulfilled one after the another because almost all departments have been transferred to them except Home Department,” said State Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma while attending as the chief guest at Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s (KAAC) 68th foundation day held at Donkamukam in West Karbi Anglong. The programme was held for the first time here in West Karbi Anglong.
“Irrespective of caste and creed, we need to build a beautiful and greater Assamese society, and if we stand unitedly then illegal migrants won’t be able to occupy our land,” he added. “Now the government will provide one-time assistance of Rs 5 lakh to those families who lost their lives during the movement for Autonomous State,” said Sarma.
Regarding Hills Medical College of Diphu, he said that from November the college would be functional. “Appointment of doctors and staff will be done within 10 days from now,” he assured.
Regarding the dilapidated condition of the roads of Karbi Anglong connecting other districts, the minister assured that the NH-36 Nagaon-Manja Dimapur road would be repaired at a cost of Rs 100 crore, then Lanka Umrongso road (Rs 100 crore) and then Dimapur Bokajan Numaligarh road NH 39 (Rs 200 crores).
“I expect these to be completed before the next assembly election. Besides, the Hojai Donkamukam Hamren road will be converted into State highway,” he assured. CEM Tuliram Ronghang in his speech recalled the sacrifice done by Karbi leaders like Lt Semsonsing Engti and Lt Khorsing Terang in building Karbi Homeland. “Because of their selfless sacrifice for us we are here now and their dream to make Karbi Anglong as one of the best districts will not go in vain,” he said. “During the Congress tenure, a meagre Rs 260 crore was given to us, but now the present council is provided Rs 400 crore as normal budget by the State Government,” he said. “I appeal to increase the fund of normal budget more as per area size and population of the districts. Also autonomous issue is the most common and important issue of the hills district and the demand for autonomous state should be fulfilled soon,” said Ronghang. HAD Minister Sum Ronghang, new MP Horensing Bey and Bokajan MLA Dr Numal Momin also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier the day’s programme began by unfurling the national flag by KAAC deputy chairman Riteish Enghee at New Sports Complex, Donkamukam followed by plantation in and around Donkamukam town led by KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang in presence of his KAAC cabinet colleagues and others. After garlanding the portraits of Samsonsing Engti and Khorsing Terang, fruits and sweets were distributed to the patients of Donkamukam 30-bedded hospital.
Also, local MLA Dr Mansing Rongpi, in presence of KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang and MP Horensing Bey, laid the foundation stone of signature projects at Hongkram to be constructed from the sanctioned amount of Rs 10 crore. The Donkamukam Waisong Stadium built at a cost of Rs 25 crore was inaugurated by State Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In the programme, newly-elected MP from Hills areas, Horensing Bey was felicitated jointly by Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang. Later in the evening, a cultural night was held in the memory of Khorsing Bey, former CEM, which was inaugurated by MP Horensing Bey.
Mikir Hills district was formed in the year 1952 under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Soon the district was christened as Karbi Anglong District Council in 1976 and after signing MoU in 1996, the council was renamed as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.