Pro-talk Adivasi rebels stage highway blockade

ANCC threatens to intensify agitation demanding ST status to Adivasis

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR, July 22: The Adivasi tiol Convention Committee (ANCC), a conglomeration of different Adivasi organizations including militant outfits who are in ceasefire mode, staged a three-hour tiol Highway blockade at 31 (C) at Karigaon and Srirampur in Kokrajhar district today from 9 am to 12 noon demanding ST status and solution of problems of the militant groups who are under ceasefire with the government.

Some hundreds of activists of the Adivasi community from different parts of the region thronged the tiol Highway shouting slogans in support of their demands that included ST status and tripartite talks with the militant groups of the Adivasi like BCF, AAL, STF, APA, ACMA and NSLA who are currently under ceasefire with the Centre for a long time.

Talking to reporters, Birshing Munda, general secretary of ANCC who is also C-in C of Birsa Commando Force (BCF), expressed strong resentment over the sil pace of the peace talks with the Adivasi militant groups and deliberate delay towards the solutions of problems being faced by the community.

The problems included granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Adivasis and to put pressure to the government to take effective measure and early solution of militants’ issue.

He slammed the BJP led NDA government saying that both the state and union government that are led by the BJP have not taken measure for the solution of their long standing demands of the Adivasis.

He reiterated that the BJP gave a false promise to the Adivasis ahead of Assembly election. He also said the BJP government in the state has also forgotten their promises for inclusion of Adivasis in the ST list after coming to power.

Boyal Hembram, president of the ANCC said the organization will launch vigorous movement across the state demanding the solution of their demands.

He said there will be no other option but to intensify massive agitation if the BJP led state and union governments fail to take necessary steps. He also warned that more railway and tiol highway blockade and indefinite bandh would be the next agenda if the state cabinet fails to concede their demand.

He further said the tripartite talks with the five Adivasi militant groups which are under ceasefire also not yielding fruitful result due to indifferent attitude of the government and said they will boycott the next election.