Two Koch Rajbongshi bodies demand reconstitution of interim council

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Koch Rajbongshis have demanded that the State government must reconstitute the community's interim council — KAC or 'Kamatapur Autonomous Council'.

In this regard, the KRNC (Koch Rajbongshi National Convention) and the KRYCS (Koch Rajbongshi Yuba-Chattra Sanmillani) said the authorities concerned should "respect" the orders of the Gauhati High Court and also that of the Governor of Assam in this regard.

Addressing the media here on Saturday, KRNC GS (general secretary) Biswajit Ray stated, "The manner in which the members of interim council took oath on September 26 is totally unfortunate. This action has gone against the High Court and the Governor."

Ray added, "The ALA (Assam Legislative Assembly) passed the 'Kamatapur Autonomous Council Bill-2020' on September 3, 2020.

"On February 25, 2021, the Assam government constituted the interim KAC. But, this interim council is not in accordance with the KAC Act-2020."

Ray alleged, "Seven KAC members have submitted false IDs (Identity Cards) with personal addresses which are false. Since the interim council wasn't constituted according to the KAC Act-2020 so three persons from Dhubri and one from Goalpara districts filed a writ petition — WP(C) NO. 2516/2021).

"Based on this writ petition, the Gauhati HC in April directed the WPT&BC (Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes) Department to maintain status quo. So, the interim council could not take oath at that time.

"The Court has also ordered the persons — who had submitted false addresses to the Council authorities — to submit their replies.

"On the other hand, the State Governor on September 18, 2021 directed the WPT&BC Department to remove the Council.

"On September 21, 2021, the Joint Secretary of WPTC&BC informed in a letter to the government advocate of Gauhati High Court that the interim council of KAC has been already revoked. The KRNC GS added, "Against this backdrop, how were the KAC interim council members allowed to take oath and assume office. So, we have demanded that the interim KAC must be reconstituted."

Also present on the occasion was KRYCS advisor, Tridip Pati Singha.

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