A CORRESPONDENT
SONAPUR: Karbi people living outside Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts have intensified their demand for full-fledged Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, expressing frustration over the government’s inaction. At a press conference held on Monday in Sonapur, the Karbi Scheduled Tribe Demand Coordination Committee strongly criticized the government for repeatedly neglecting their demand.
They announced that around 4 lakh Karbi people residing outside Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao will boycott the upcoming Panchayat elections as a mark of protest. During the press conference, committee representatives accused the government of consistently deceiving the Karbi people regarding their tribal status. They emphasized that Karbis living outside Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao have been deprived of their rightful constitutional benefits due to the government’s discriminatory policies.
Additionally, they alleged that the government has also denied them their political rights. In response to these grievances, the committee declared plans to conduct awareness meetings in Karbi-dominated areas and reiterated their decision to boycott all upcoming elections, including Panchayat, Municipal, and Assembly elections. Furthermore, the committee opposed the formation of the “Karbi Welfare Council” under Clause 3.6 of the Karbi Peace Accord and instead demanded the establishment of a “Karbi Autonomous Welfare Council.” They urged the government to hold discussions with representatives of the Karbi people in the Bhoiyam region before making any final decisions on this matter. Meanwhile, the committee also called upon Dr. Tuliram Ronghang, the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, to take immediate action regarding the concerns of the Karbi community.
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