Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA) to form new party to pursue tribal cause

Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, JULY 15: Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA) organized a ‘chintan’ meeting between the tribal bodies of Assam and the intellectuals in guwahati yesterday where certain important resolutions were adopted.

The meeting laid stress on enhancing the political consciousness and unity of the tribal population and it was decided that needful measures be taken. It was also decided that steps be taken for permanent solution of the unsettled issues pertaining to the tribal people. To enhance awareness, the CCTOA will organize public rallies in tribal dominated areas.

The meeting also resolved that languages of the tribal communities be made the medium of instruction upto class V in tribal dominated areas and that in the matter of languages, a clear policy be adopted.

The also opposed the demand of the 6 communities for ST status and held that it goes against the constitution. It held the view that the six communities be treated as OBC and extra facilities to them.

The meeting stressed that all encroachers be evicted from the tribal belts and blocks while as per the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the forest dwellers be given land patta.

The meeting also resolved that a demand be placed before the government to make appointment in respect of the backlog of 12,155 posts in the Government sector reserved for tribal people. The meeting also resolved that the Mising, Tewa, Rabha, Sonowal-Kachari, Thengal and Dewri autonomous councils be given constitutional protection.

Alleging that the government and the political parties have failed to solve the problems of the tribal communities, the meting decided to make efforts to constitute a new political force to achieve the same.

The meeting held that the UPF constituted in 2015 to solve the problems was a wrong move and hence a new effort would be made to unify the small tribal forces and as a unit would pursue the cause of the tribal population in the state. For this purpose a committee would be formed to look into the issue followed by a conclave in which a new political party may be formed. The views of the CCTOA was made public by the Chief Coordinator of the organization Aditya Khaklary.