STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Asom Sattra Mahasabha (ASM) has opposed handing over any portion of Assam's land to any neighbouring State and threatened to launch a mass agitation if the State Government proceeds to cede any territory.
In a statement issued on Friday, ASM general secretary Kusum Kumar Mahanta mentioned that it was people of Assam's misfortune that the State's boundaries have not been fixed so far due either to political interests or inexperience and short-sightedness.
He stated that there was an effort to include Assam in East Pakistan at the time of the country's partition, but a part of the State remained with India due to the strong stance of leaders such as Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, Pitambr Deva Goswami, Bhimbor Deuri and Ambikagiri Raichoudhury. However, Assam lost considerable territory at that time, he said. Assam also lost territory, including Dimapur, at the time of formation of Nagaland. The State lost more territory at the time of formation of Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Mahanta claimed that Assam had surrendered land to Meghalaya without any proper survey even though the population of Khasi people was only 5% in the Khanapara to Nongpoh stretch.
Mahanta said that the ASM strongly opposes the new move to cede more territory of Assam in the name of resolving a border dispute.
He urged the State Government to do justice to the Vaishnav people of the Rabha community and endure that they remain within the boundaries of Assam.
He said the State Government will not be allowed to give away xatras and naamghars like Matasar Xatra in Matasar, Netuajapa Xatra in Longsai, Noonmati Gosain Namghar in Jimirgaon, Banaspati Namghar in Bakhalapara, Sonari Namghar in Bhalakhowa and Burha Bhogdiya Gosain Namghar in Ouguri, along with naamghars located in Omsur, Ranibari, Salkher and Lungkha.
Mahanta stated that the ASM will gather together various organizations and the common people and launch a mass movement if the dwelling areas of the Rabhas are handed over to Meghalaya.
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