ATASU, AKRSU react on August 6 issue

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 13: The leading students’ union All Tal Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) and All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) have slammed the Centre for its diplomatic stand on granting ST status to the six ethnic communities of the State.

Addressing a joint press conference with AKRSU president Biswajit Ray, ATASU president Pranjal Rajkonwar on Thursday said, “We are doubtful about the status of central government on ST status of the six ethnic communities of the State. Because, on August 6, according to media, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jewel Oram said within 15 days, the modality of granting the six tribes to ST status, whereas, on August 9, he said the process will be started within three months and the representatives present at the discussion on August 6 are not aware about this whole process. The whole situation became hazy and it signifies some political calculation of the central government before the election scheduled in 2016.” He further said, “We urge to start the process of granting ST status within this month and if not, it will be clear that Orang is only playing with the emotion of our people to win the election.” He also added that leaders from ATASU and AKRSU should be included while making the modality for granting ST status.

On the other hand, AKRSU president Bishwajit Ray said, “The statuses of the Central and State government are not clear about the ST status to these six indigenous communities. The bill on this, which should have been introduced much earlier, has not been introduced in the assembly till now. We therefore, demand to complete the process of granting ST status within 2015.”

The leaders also said that the representatives, who participated in a meeting with the Union government in New Delhi recently, are also not aware of the modality issue and that their statements are too hazy to understand.

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