ITSSA demands steps to protect, safeguard tribal communities

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabha, Assam (ITSSA), on Monday, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister listing its charter of demands.

ITSSA secretary-general Kamala Kanta Mushahary said, "As per provision of Article 350A of the Indian Constitution, the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 has strongly recommended for giving school education in the respective home language and mother tongue of the linguistic minority groups. Hence, ITSSA strongly demands that the Mising, Rabha, Deori and Tiwa languages should be introduced as the medium of instruction in the lower primary level up to Grade 5 (Class V) and the Karbi language should be introduced as the medium of instruction upto Grade 8 (Class VIII) from the academic year 2022 and a Governor's notification should be made immediately in this regard. ITSSA also demands that the preparation of textbooks for classes Nursery to Grade 5 in Mising, Rabha, Deori, Tiwa and Karbi languages should start immediately."

ITSSA has been demanding since 2015 to take strong steps to protect and preserve the tribal belts and blocks by evicting the illegal encroachers as per Clause X of the Assam Accord. "The matter was already discussed with the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the then Cultural Affairs and Youth Welfare Minister of the Government of India, and subsequently the then Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal. But the present Government of Assam has taken a decision detrimental to the interest of the tribal peoples of Assam. For example, the Assam cabinet meeting held on September 30, 2021, at Dhemaji granted Ahom, Koch Rajbonshi, Matak and Gorkha communities protected class status in the Murkongselek tribal belt and block. The Assam Government also by a cabinet decision on November 4, 2021, empowered the Deputy Commissioners of Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup rural districts to give permission to transfer land to people other than tribal people. This decision of the government not only violate the provisions of the Assam Land & Revenue Regulation Act, 1886 but also nullifies Clause 17.5 of Assam Land Policy, 2019 adapted by the Government of Assam. ITSSA expresses grave concern over such anti-tribal activities," said Mushahary.

ITSSA also condemned the eviction of 36 indigenous Garo tribal families of Dekabasti and 58 families of Paglabasti of Hojai district. ITSSA demanded immediate resettlement of all the evicted families in their present forest villages.

ITSSA demanded implementation of the provisions of the Forest Dwellers Act, 2006, Assam Land Policy, 2019, Justice Biplav Kumar Sarma Report under clause-6 of the Assam Accord in letter and spirit; immediate and proper rehabilitation to the displaced families of Dadhiya-Laika; constitution of a high-level committee headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of India to safeguard, protect and promote the tribal belts and blocks of Assam; constitution of three-member Group of Ministers under the chairmanship of minister Dr Ranoj Pegu for demarcation of proposed Sixth Scheduled area for Rabha, Mising and Tiwa Autonomous Councils and submission of the reports at an early date.

Mushahary further added, "The State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) had organized a training programme from November 22 to November 25, 2021, on the State curriculum framework. Total 25 focus groups were constituted comprising 250 experts. However, Bodo professors and Karbi, Deori, Rabha and Dimasa language experts were not included in the focus groups. ITSSA condemns this move."

He expressed hope that the Chief Minister would intervene and hold talks with the ITSSA by December 6, 2021.

Also Read: ITSSA: Indigenous tribal languages must be the medium of instruction at school level

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