CCTOA opposes Assam government's decisions on tribal belt and blocks

Organisation declares two-hour protest programme over their charter of demands on November 22

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Opposing the government's decision on tribal belts and blocks, the CCTOA (Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam) has called for a review of the decisions by the government. Besides, the CCTOA has called a state-wide two-hour public protest programme in front of the deputy commissioners and sub-divisional officers office from 10 am on November 22 in support of their demands.

Recently the state government had adopted several decisions regarding land in the tribal belts and blocks. After the process, Sadiya, Murkokseleng and South Kamrup were classified as 'Protected Belt'. At first, the Ahoms, Morans, Mottocks, Chutiyas and Gorkhas were recognized as 'Protected Class' in the 'Protected Belts'. The Gorkhas were also included under the category of 'Protected class' in the BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region'. Recently the provision of para 17.5 of the 'Land Policy-2019' was deleted for expeditious disposals of proposals seeking permission in the protected belts and blocks of Kamrup (M) and Kamrup Districts.

In wake of the government's decision, the CCTOA during its meeting here on Wednesday urged the state government to take a cabinet decision to ensure that land belonging to tribal people can be transferred only to tribal people and land belonging to indigenous people can be transferred only to indigenous people.

The CCTOA also expressed its displeasure over the delay in forming a ministerial-level committee to solve the tribal issues. On September 8, during a meeting between chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and CCTOA a decision was taken to form the committee in a week.

Addressing the media, the secretary-general of the 'All Assam Tribal Sangha', Aditya Khaklari appealed to the state government to withdraw its decision to delete the provision of para 17.5 of Land Policy, 2019 so that no one can buy and sell land in South Kamrup protected belt without the government's permission. He also demanded a review of the cabinet decision regarding Sadiya and Murkokseleng tribal belts.

"Today's meeting straightway opposed the cabinet decision to confer the 'Protected Class' status to the entire Gorkha community in tribal belts and in BTR. The government should withdraw the decision. Like before only Nepali cattle rearers and farmers should be categorised as under-protected class. Similarly in Sadiya and Murkokseleng tribal belts only Ahom Chutiya, Moran, Mottock community people residing since 1951 should be categorised under-protected class," Khaklari said.

Also Read: Implement high-level committee report on Clause VI of Assam Accord: AATS, CCTOA

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