CCTOA Demands High-Level Panel To Protect Tribal Belts & Blocks

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA) has demanded the constitution of a high-level committee for the protection of land, culture, heritage and rights of the indigenous people of the State. This along with other demands, were adopted at the organization's meeting here on Thursday. The CCTOA is the umbrella organization of 21 bodies of the Bodos, Rabhas, Hasongs, Dimasas, Karbis, Modahis, Sarania Kacharis, Mech Kacharis, Tiwas, Garos, Siphongs, and Barman Kacharis.

Dwelling on the various resolutions taken at the meeting, CCTOA chief coordinator Aditya Khaklary said, "Just like the high-level committee on implementation of Clause-VI of the Assam Accord, a panel must be formed for the safeguard of the tribal belts and blocks under Clause-X of the Assam Accord."

Referring to the tribal lands and blocks, Khaklary said that these areas were constituted as per Chapter-X of the Assam Land and Revenue Act, 1886. He further demanded that the indigenous tribal people living in the forest areas and also those indigenous tribals who are landless must be given land rights in accordance with the 'Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Right) Act,2006'.

The CCTOA also demanded that the term 'indigenous people' be included along with 'Assamese people' in the ‘terms of reference’ of the high-level committee constituted for implementation of Clause-VI.

Clause-VI of the Assam Accord states, "Constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people."

Khaklary further said, "Even in the (e) and (f) sections of the terms of reference of the high-level committee on Clause-VI of the Assam Accord, reference is made only to 'Assamese people'. However, the definition of 'Assamese people' must encompass all the indigenous people of the State. Hence, the Ministry of Home Affairs must come up with a Gazette Notification to ensure 'constitutional safeguards for the indigenous tribal peoples, the indigenous Assamese, and the other indigenous communities in the terms of reference of the Clause-VI high-level committee."

He also said that the CCTOA meeting has resolved "not to accept the final NRC as 'correct' as names of many indigenous people have been left out while the names of thousands of illegal foreigners have been included in it". However, he appealed to all to maintain peace and harmony in the post publication phase of the NRC.

The meeting also demanded that recommendations of the Harishankar Brahma Committee be made public and also be implemented.

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