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KOKRAJHAR: Expressing concern over the move of the government to generalize the autonomous councils, the president of All Hills Leaders' Conference (AHLC) and former IAS officer Jones Ingthi Kathar urged the government of India to implement the term of 6th schedule councils of Assam in true sense.
In his speech in the open session of the 1st annual conference of Bodo National Students Union (BoNSU) held at Harimu Fwthar in Dotma on Tuesday he said, "The indigenous tribal people of the State have been deprived of their legitimate rights. The tribal people were the victims of suppressive policies of the government over the years."
Khatar said the 6th schedule councils were given exclusively to the tribal people of Assam for their socio economic, language, literature and cultural development, and for the political rights but the basic meaning of 6th schedule councils have been distorted. He said there was no question for reservations of non tribal communities in the 6th schedule autonomous councils but the government has given reservations to non tribal communities. He referred to the 6th schedule councils of Assam BTR, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Council where non tribals are equally given the rights and privileges of tribal people. He said BTR had political reservation for non tribal people which implies that the political rights of tribal people are being snatched. He also said according to the concept of autonomous council they could prepare voters list as their own and frame strategies for their development but these rights are being ignored. He also reiterated that the tribal people were being divided by ruling clique.
Khatar reiterated that Banga Sena was formed in Karbi Anglong and demanded Banga land out of Karbi land which is a serious invasion in tribal land. He alleged that government did nothing to arrest the Banga Sena activists despite FIR against their anti tribal activities. He said the indigenous tribal people had no alternative land to live but to live in Bodoland, Karbi land, Dima Hasao but non tribals have their own birth places in different parts of India. He called upon the people to be concious about the destructive policy of government.
The meeting chaired by Bonjit Manjil Basumatary, president of BoNSU was inaugurated by Padmashree Dr. Mangalsingh Hazoary. President of Garo Students Union R. Momin also spoke at the meeting. It was attended by ex MLAs Pradip Brahma, Kamal Kr. Brahma, ex EMs of BTC Mana Kr. Brahma and Sabharam Basumatary and other leaders.
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