Mattak bodies urge Government to clear stand on granting ST Status

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: The conglomerate organization of the Mattak community has threatened to launch a series of agitation from January 21 while asking the government to clear its stand within 15 days on the issue of granting ST status to the six indigenous communities, including Mattak, following an imbroglio created by the Tribal Sangha and BTC authority.

In a press meet at Tinsukia held on Sunday and represented by executive members of Sodau Asom Mattak Sanmilan, Sodau Asom Mattak Yaba-Chatra Sanmilan, Sodau Asom Mattak Mahila Parishad, Sodau Asom Mattak Chatra Santha and Sodau Asom Mattak Yuba Chatra Parishad, the leaders welcomed the Central Government’s steps in granting ST status but wanted these moves to be given legal teeth. They stated that it was prerogative of the government to award ST status in whatever ways and neither had it anything to comment on the organizations opposing the issue. They also alleged that a section of politicians were trying to create a fratricidal clash for political mileage and also attempting to derail the process and the government would be solely responsible for any unpleasant situation, they warned.

As part of the agitation programme, the leaders announced that a rail blockade would be held on January 21 followed by economic blockade from January 27 to February 10 and anti-government awareness programme from February 15 to March 15.

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