Assam Christian Forum appeals to political parties to safeguard rights of ethnic people & minorities

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Christian Forum — an ecumenical body of churches — has appealed to all political parties to address the genuine issues of the State in the ensuing Assembly elections including framing laws to thwart the threat posed to land, livelihood and income of ethnic (tribal) people.

Forum spokesperson Allen Brooks said the right to land, livelihood and life of all the people of the State has to be respected, protected and developed. He also said that justified wages must be given to all labourers — particularly those working in the tea gardens.

"Laws should be framed to protect the land, livelihood and income of tribal people. The 'Environmental Impact Assessment Act' should not be implemented as it is detrimental to the homeland identity, dignity of our people and to our mountains, plains, forest, rivers and air," said Brooks.

Appealing for free-and-fair elections, the Assam Christian Forum said that the political parties must uphold the Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic character of the Constitution of India.

Brooks further said that the next government in power will have to ensure that the economy of the State is not surrendered to corporate houses. The policies on education will have to facilitate the students' freedom of choice in the medium of education, he said, adding the Constitutional freedom of minority institutions with regard to their curricula and spiritual commitments must be maintained.

The Christian Forum has also demanded adequate representation of persons from minority communities at all levels of governance and administration.

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