Tribal bodies want tripartite talks before giving ST status to 6 groups

GUWAHATI: A meeting between a Group of Ministers and Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations (CCTOA) of Assam was held on Thursday when the latter raised the demand for holding tripartite talks before according ST status to the six communities of Assam.

The CCTOA presented their views on the issue and submitted the following demands –

That the list of Scheduled Tribe (plains) relating to the plains of Assam should be frozen for good and notified separately. However, the government should take initiative to resolve the problem of the six communities and provide protection and privilege to all ethnic groups of Assam in any other manner which will in no way hamper the rights and interests and quotas of the plains tribal people of Assam.

The quota of reservation for the ST (plains) should be enhanced from existing 10% to 15% based on the latest census data as five more tribes have already been added to the category after 2001 census.

Identity and political rights of all sixth schedule and autonomous councils for the tribal people of Assam should be fully protected. The CCTOA demands further to create new autonomous councils for Meches, Hajongs, Sarania Kacharis, Madahi Kacharis and Tirap Tribal autonomous district council in the line of four autonomous councils created for Moran, Motok, Kamatapur and BKWAC in recent days by the State government.

The CCTOA demanded further to arrange tripartite talks between Home Minister Amit Shah, the Government of Assam and the CCTOA.

The meeting was presided by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chairman, GoM and attended by the members of Group of Ministers Atul Bora, Chandan Brahma, Phani Bhushn Chaudhury and officials of Home and WPT&BC departments.

The office-bearers of the All Assam Tribal Sangha, All Assam Tribal Youth League, All Bodo Students' Union, TMPK, ARSU, AASKSU, All Assam Hajong Students' Union, AADSU, KSA, KSU, AAMSU, AASKSU and the All Barman Kachari Students' Union were present on behalf of the CCTOA.