JACAS Opposes to MLA N Momin’s Advice to Assam Governor, Regional Councils Will Escalate Tension says Committee

Diphu: The Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) in a press meet organized today at Diphu Press Club expressed their serious concern over the move of Bokajan MLA Numal Momin that could potentially create an explosive situation in Karbi Anglong.

It may be mentioned that earlier on May 8, MLA Numal Momin addressed the Governor of Assam, Prof Jagdish Mukhi and advised him to recreate regional councils.

The JACAS denounced the suggestions of the Bokajan MLA in the meeting and warned that the day regional councils will be formed along with the Tribe wise regional Autonomous Council and village council, it will create strong resentment amongst the public and tarnish the image of the Government.

The JACAS leaders further added that “No administration changes should be made until and unless the Autonomous state is formed as provided under Art.244(A) of the Indian Constitution."

Reiterating on the matter, the JACAS leaders told the media that Numal Momin's advice to the Governor to create regional councils cannot be accepted at this point in time. Devolution of powers to the lower tiers can only be possible when the Autonomous council is elevated to the status of an Autonomous state or a separate state and adequate power is devolved upon the new political and administrative setup.

Moreover, the Joint Action Committee said that, “Momin, who brags about his raising Autonomous state issue in the Assembly, should have advised the Governor for early implementation of Article 244(A) so that all the indigenous tribes of these particular hill areas can have their due share in the new political and administrative setup.”

“The state government is to blame for not nominating unrepresented tribes to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council even after completion of one year of the present terms of the council. Unrepresented tribes, namely Rengma, Kuki, Man Tai speaking, Garo and Khasi-Pnar should and could have been nominated to the council much earlier,” added the committee members.

Referring to the Karbi –Kuki, Karbi-Dimasa, and Rengma, Khasi clashes, the committee accused it to be a mistake on the part of legislator Numal Momin.

He is indirectly encouraging repetition of the unsavory incident, stated JACAS Chairman Khorsing Teron.