Barman-Kachari students' body protests against Tribal Sangha

From a Correspondent

TANGLA, September 23: More than 500 people of the Barman-Kachari community along with activists of All Assam Barman-Kachari Students’ Union took out a massive protest rally against the Tribal Sangha  at Khoirabari in Udalguri district on Friday.

The programme, spearheaded by All Assam Barman-Kachari Students’ Union, Udalguri district committee, was largely attended by people of the Barman-Kachari community. At the end of the protest rally, a protest meet was organized at the premises of Mahiranga Bhavan of Khoirabari.

Addressing the mass gathering, president of All Assam Barman-Kachari Students’ Union, Motilal Barman said, “Though the country acquired independence 70 years back, yet the Barman-Kachari community seems to be deprived of its constitutiol right. Vested political circles have deprived the community of its due rights and the Tribal Sangha has betrayed us.”

“Though the Barman-Kachari community finds its place in the list of 14 Scheduled Tribe communities of Assam, yet it is an irony that the Tribal Sangha is doubtful of our tribal identity. In the year 2004, the officials of Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Department, Government of Assam, had assured a viable solution to this issue but this is yet to happen,” he added.

Barman further said, “On March 24, 2015, representatives of All Assam Nikhil Barman Kachari Students’ Union and Tribal Sangha had called for a meeting at Tribal Rent Housing for development of community village and census of population of the community in the districts and the data of the population was submitted to the Tribal Sangha. The Tribal Sangha constituted a five member sub-committee for Ranghajuli Ghat village of Bhergaon sub-division of Udalguri district and Tagunbari village of Tamulpur subdivision of Baksa district. The culture, language, ethnic dress and food of the Barman-Kachari were alyzed and the Tribal Sangha assured issuance of ST certificates. Yet what has hindered them from keeping this promise?”

The protest rally was also attended by Nikhil Barman Kachari Students’ Union activists, All Assam Barman-Kachari Students’ Union, Udalguri district committee  president Sanjeev  Barman, secretary Madhab Barman along with activists of Barman Kachari Jatiya Samiti.