Identity crisis: RUKM to float Mech Volunteers Force
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT,
KOKRAJHAR, Octiber 23: Observing the gravity of the situation and necessity of a bigger platform for ancestral identity of the Mech people as well as to work for the protection and survival of the Mech family, the Royal Union of Koch Mech (RUKM) has decided to form Mech Volunteers Force (MVF), a voluntary work force to raise united voice with collective responsibilities against all injustices and denial of rights to the community.
Kumar Prithviraj rayan Dev Mech, president of princely organization Royal Union of Koch Mech (RUKM) stated that the Mech or the Bodo people were solemn and sincere about their ethnic identity, protection and survival. He said as per historical fact Mech means the ancient historical me given to the present Bodo community.
Meanwhile, Dev Mech in the statement said that the Bodo people have been agitating for their basic and legitimate rights since the formation of Tribal League in 1932 and after that a tribal political platform Plains Tribal People’s Council of Assam (PTCA) was formed but till today the solution is yet to come.
“It was quite surprise as to why the government of Assam has been allowing the non tribals to enter in the tribal belts and blocks with clear violation of Assam Land Revenue and Regulation Act of 1947. It’s very crucial to form a separate state for the Bodos for their protection and development of the tribal people of the region’, he said adding that the Bodos have historical rights to get statehood.
Dev Mech said the government’s indifferent attitude towards the Bodos and other indigenous tribal people compelled them to take up arms.
He said that instead of finding the way for solution of the problems, the government has adopted ruthless policy by using force and thus several hundreds of innocent Bodo youths have been killed in fake encounters by the security forces. He also said the time has come for the Bodo (Mech) and other indigenous tribal people to work together in a democratic manner to achieve their goal. He further said a volunteer’s force without arms and ammunitions was needed to protect as well as to take the society forward with true dedication for the community as the government is not in a position to ensure safety and security to the Bodo and other tribal people.
Dev Mech said the RUKM in cooperation with some tribal organizations has decided to form Mech Volunteers Force (MVF), a voluntary unit to work for the protection of Mech (Bodo) people.
He cautioned that they will launch series of agitation starting with 100 hours BTC bandh and so on for the protection of identity the Bodo people and tribal land from illegal encroachment by suspected tiols.
He urged the government to ensure the safety and security to the Bodo and tribal people. He said that the intention of their organization is not to harass people of any community but they will raise their voice against the injustice and denying of rights of the Bodo (Mech) people.
He also said other communities should realize the pains suffered by Bodos over the years due to indifferent attitude of the government for which they compelled to launch massive movement. He warned the anti-tribal quarters to stop their anti tribal activities immediately saying that the tribal people will take their own decision for their survival.