AKRSU opposes creation of Kamatapur Autonomous Council in Tangla

A Correspondent

TANGLA: The Udalguri chapter of All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) on Tuesday vehemently opposed the creation of a new autonomous council for Koch Rajbongshis (Kamatapur Autonomous Council) for the populace residing in undivided Goalpara district, excluding BTAD and Rabha Hasong areas. The Assam government in its recent Cabinet decision has decided to create a Kamatapur Autonomous Council for the Koch-Rajbongshi people living in undivided Goalpara district excluding BTAD and Rabha Hasong areas.

“We have been democratically raising our voice for the creation of separate Kamatapur state and grant of ST status to Koch-Rajbongshis living in Assam. But the Assam Government’s Cabinet decision for the creation of the Kamatapur Autonomous Council is a grave insult to the community,” said Udalguri (west) chapter AKRSU president Hemanta Bora Koch.

Addressing a press conference in the Chilarai Bhavan at Tangla in Udalguri district on Tuesday, Koch said, “The Cabinet decision came at a time when the tripartite talks with the government for granting of ST status to the community was in its last legs and it is clear that the cabinet decision is the ploy of the government to douse the movement of the Koch-Rajbongshis and deprive us of our rights.”

He further said, “The formation of such council was never a part of the tripartite talk and we vehemently oppose the creation of such a council which caters to serve only people of undivided Goalpara district whereas the Koch-Rajbongshis are spread across the length and breadth of Assam.” He also exhorted the government to look into the genuine issues plaguing the community and expedite the process of granting ST status and creation of separate Kamatapur state for the welfare and development of the community having a rich legacy.

The students’ body also lamented the move of the Assam Government to exclude BTAD in making Assamese the State language by appealing to the Centre to get Article 345 of the Constitution amended and make Assamese the State language except in the Bengali-dominated Barak Valley, BTAD and the two hill districts (Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao).

Koch said, “Koch-Rajbongshis are united and the divide-and-rule policy of the ruling party cannot diffuse the voices and we will launch democratic protest if the government forms any such council without resolving the issue of ST status.” Pertinently, besides ST status to Koch Rajbongshis, the AKRSU has been demanding a separate Kamtapur state comprising six districts of north Bengal and 15 districts of Assam.

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