Indigenous tribes of Barak Valley seek their safeguards and protection

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: A 14-member delegation from 11 indigenous tribes of the Barak Valley visited the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) headquarters, Korajhar on Wednesday as part of their exposure tour. The team also met BTC leaders, held a discussion on their common issues and urged the State government and the BTC to take measures for the protection of indigenous tribes that are facing extinction threat.

The delegation visited Thulungapuri, Dotma where Bodofa UN Brahma was laid to rest. Later, they visited Bodoland University, Central Institute of Technology (CIT-Kokrajhar) and the BTC Secretariat. The delegation team had members from Khasi, Chorei, Hrangkhal, Malsom, Tripura, Halam, Hmar, Rangmei Naga, Chiru, Sakachap and Reang tribes. First, they visited Bathou Thanshali at Kokrajhar town and learnt about its philosophy and worship.

Talking to the media, Man Chorei, a representative from the Chorei tribe, said they came to Kokrajhar, the capital of Bodoland, as part of their exposure tour to learn about the BTC and to meet the indigenous people to share thoughts and ideas. He said many primitive tribes of Barak Valley were going to become extinct and they needed special protection. "For instance, we the Chorei tribe now have a population of around 15,000. Similarly, there are small tribes having around 5,000 to 7,000 people only," he said, adding that the governments of India and Assam should take initiative for safeguarding and protecting these small primitive tribes.

Chorei said they had high expectations from the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led State Government towards ensuring special protection of these small communities, besides providing development packages to protect their language, culture and traditions. He further urged the leaders of the BTC to look into their problems and take steps for their protection.

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