OUR CORRESPONDENT
DIGBOI: All Assam Tribal Sangha Margherita district on May 30 through a memorandum addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia alleged that it had unearthed anomalies in electioneering process in the recently-concluded Panchayat election here at Digboi in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
According to the copy of the memorandum, one Pallabi Baruah, an already-elected candidate from a reserved S/T seat of ward 6 under Golal GP in the last Panchayat election had contested the election allegedly at the cost of severe infringement of existing electoral provisions and government notifications.
“Smti Pallabi Baruah, daughter of Ashok Baruah a resident of Rajabari Buddha Bihar Gaon in Jorhat, belongs to the Chakma tribe, which is not recognized as Scheduled Tribe (P) in the state of Assam,” states the letter of complaint addressed to DC Tinsukia on May 30.
“The Chakma tribe is recognized as ‘Hills Tribe in Plain’ for the purpose of availing economic, educational, and employment benefits,” reads the letter.
“As such being a member of Hills Tribe in Plain, she is not eligible to contest from a seat reserve for S/T (P) as there is no political reservation for ‘Hills Tribe in Plain’ category candidates in the Plain areas of Assam,” underlined the for Assam: Former All Assam Tribal Sangha president Ranjit Kr Borgoyary remembered in Kokrajharmal communique referring the provisions of the Government of Assam notification No. TAD/ ST/ 279/ 82/16/ dated 24/12/1982.
“Moreover the online procurement of the caste certificate bearing No. 29072024-001-11141701 issued on 29.07.2025 from Jorhat district through Assam e-district project was not properly verified by the authorized officer during the Panchayat election,” alleged Keshab Sonowal, the district Vice-President of the Sangha.
“This not only amounts to gross violation of laid down electoral procedures but has also deprived genuine candidates in the queue,” alleged the disgruntled office bearer of the Sangha. “How come her candidature was accepted by the concerned election officer while the representation itself was wrongful,” wondered Sonowal.
Also Read: Assam: Former All Assam Tribal Sangha president Ranjit Kr Borgoyary remembered in Kokrajhar
Also Watch: