Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM) wants constitutional protection of ST-reserved seats

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM) on Saturday said the proposed de-reservation of existing ST seats in Assam will snatch away tribal political rights in response to the delimitation process with a draught of de-reserving existing ST seats in Assam.The Mancha demanded that the Election Commission of India should ensure constitutional protection of ST reserved constituencies in 6th schedule of autonomous councils."In a statement the president of BJSM Janaklal Basumatary and working president, DD Narzary said BTC sixth schedule area now has five autonomous districts and there are three autonomous districts in two hill areas According to Article 330(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution, the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao sixth schedule area, which was previously divided into two autonomous districts, Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills sixth schedule, was given to one ST reserved parliamentary constituency, Diphu. He stated that Assam now has one more BTC sixth schedule area, with four autonomous districts reduced to five, and is entitled to two parliamentary constituencies.This has been provided in draft delimitation, Kokrajhar and Udalguri parliamentary constituency. But these two constituencies have been made open. He said this was in violation of the provision of Art.330(1)(c) of the Constitution of India. As per the provision of the constitution, these two constituencies are entitled ST reserved constituencies.

The tribal organizations, tribal political parties, prominent individuals jointly can send memorandum demanding Kokrajhar and Udalguri as ST reserved parliamentary constituencies to Chief Election Commissioner of India as now the CECI has been entrusted to finalize the proposed delimitation in Assam.

Basumatary said they had increased the unreserved assembly constituencies in the five districts of BTC sixth schedule area in violation of the provision of Art.331(2) (4)(5)(6) of Constitution of India. Therefore the proposed increase of unreserved assembly constituencies should be redrawn as per provisions of Art. 332(2)(4)(5)(6) of the Constitution of India. This constitutional safeguard must be provided to the autonomous districts of BTC.

Also Read: Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi visits Madhabdev University in Lakhimpur

Also Watch: