Tribal literary bodies meet CM, submit ten-point memorandum

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 9: The Indigenous Tribal Sahitya Sabhas, Assam, a conglomeration of eight literary bodies of different indigenous communities of Assam including Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Karbi Sahitya Sabha, Mising Sahitya Sabha, Dimasa Sahitya Sabha, Rabha Sahitya Sabha, Tiwa Sahitya Sabha, Garo Sahitya Sabha and Deuri Sahitya Sabha, appealed Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal that the term ‘Assamese’ as appeared in Clause-6 of the Assam Accord, 1985 aptly be specified as the Indigenous Tribal People of Assam and Indigenous Assamese People of Assam for execution of the provisions of clause -6 of the Assam Accord, 1985.

A delegation of the eight literary bodies led by Bodo Sahitya Sabha general secretary today met Chief Minister Sonowal at Dispur and submitted a ten-point memorandum to him.

“The provisions of Clause -10 of the Assam Accord, 1985, in respect of Tribal belts and Blocks, should fully be implemented in letter and spirit, by way of protecting the Tribal people and evicting the encroachers there, without further delay and necessary steps be taken to include the chapter –x of Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act of 1886 in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution,” the memorandum said.

The literary bodies also called upon the government to expedite the process of updating NRC and be completed it without any delay.

“Immigrants coming between 1951, March 25 and 1971 may regarded as Indian citizen if existing Laws allows, but no constitutiol safeguards should be accorded to them as per the provision of the Assam Accord,” it said.

It also demanded that necessary steps be taken for preservation, protection and development of tribal languages of the state by way of adopting a Tribal Language Policy.