CCTOA demand withdrawal of ST (Scheduled Tribes) Bill

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has opposed the move of the Centre to bring the ‘Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill-2019’ in the current winter session of Parliament, and demanded that the bill be immediately withdrawn. The CCTOA will also bring out torch-light rallies and burn copies of the bill at every tribal village in the State on November 22.

On that same day, a CCTOA delegation will proceed to Delhi to meet all MPs representing various ST communities of the country over the issue. They are also planning to meet Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda. The organization further demanded that the Centre must organize a tripartite meet in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and representatives of the State government and CCTOA.

The bill aims at granting the status of Scheduled Tribes (STs) to six communities of Assam including the Tai Ahoms, Koch Rajbongshis, Chutias, Morans, Motoks, and the Adivasis (tea tribes).

Addressing the media here on Wednesday, president of the ‘Sadou Asom Tribal Youth League’ Rimal Amsi said, “We’ll never accept the bill. Once the six other communities are accorded the ST status, identities of the indigenous ethnic tribes of Assam will be seriously threatened. “

He further warned, “Various parties are trying to derive political mileage by bringing in this bill. If the bill is forcefully imposed, we’ll move the Supreme Court against it. We’ll also initiate action against those supporting the bill.”

The president of ‘Sadou Asom Deori Chattra Sanstha’ Pranjal Deori said, “The six communities lack the criteria set for Scheduled Tribes. It’s condemnable that despite this fact, steps are being taken to bring them within the ST bracket.”

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