HSDC demands implementation of Article 244 (A) to protect indigenous tribes

Our Correspondent

HOWRAGHAT: The high-level committee members concerned with the implementation of Clause 6 of Assam Accord held a consultative meeting with Hills State Demand Committee (HSDC), which is one of the stakeholders representing the hill districts of Karbi Anglong, on January 3.

The regional party and its allies like Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), Karbi Nismo Chingthur Asong (KNCA), All India Students’ Association (AISA) and Revolutionary Association (RYA), Hills Committee, All India Progressive Youth Women Association (AIPWA), associated with CPI (ML) Hills Party Committee, expressed their stand on the issue and also submitted written representation to the committee members.

In its representation, the party made it clear that the implementation of Article 244 (A) of the Constitution could protect the interest of the indigenous tribes of the region. Party leaders said that the indigenous tribes of the three hills district of Assam covered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution were facing threat in absence of Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulation. “The indigenous tribal people living outside the Sixth Schedule areas of Assam should also be protected from the danger of extinction,” said the party leaders.

HSDC pointed out that the Karbi language was also under threat which had been acknowledged by UNESCO. “The Karbi language also needs to be protected and developed through inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India,” demanded the party. The party also stated that the lack of jobs and economic opportunity remained the main causes of youth’s involvement with the extremist organization. The party demanded that the ratio of job reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (Hills) should be increased to 80 percent within the geographic limit of the three autonomous hill districts of Assam.

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