'Will not allow to encroach upon existing tribal reserved seats' - Promod Boro

Our Correspondent

Kokrajhar: Expressing fear apprehension over the fate of indigenous tribal communities of Assam after inclusion of six advanced communities of the state, the president of the ABSU Promod Boro on Wednesday said that the student body will not allow encroaching upon the existing tribal reserved seats.

Talking to reporters at Bodofa House, Kokrajhar, after the end of oath-taking ceremony of the new executive body of the ABSU, Boro said the six communities Moran, Motok, Chutiya, Koch Rajbongshi, Ahom and Adivasi did not fulfill any of the five criteria other than economic backwardness to be included in the tribal list. He said some of these communities were far advanced in all spheres having a huge population. The Ahoms are too advanced and they are the ruler of state in maximum terms and Koch Rajbongshis are migrated and they are still enjoying SC in West Bengal, he said adding that if such a large and advanced communities are included in ST list, the existing ST communities will lose all its rights and privileges and reserved seats and will be similar of that of inclusion of Meena community where they are enjoying the lion's share in India.

Boro said that Magh Bihu or Domachi was a big day for celebration in Assam but the move of the Union government led by BJP to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and ST status to six communities in Assam has made people desperate and brought a sense of clash. He said the BJP led government was going ahead to include six communities into ST list without discussing the possible impact on the existing tribals with the tribal organizations. He also said such monopolistic approach of Union government will invite restless in Assam. He also said the Bodos have been demanding a separate state of Bodoland under the ambit of Indian constitution and they are not against the interest of other communities for their socio-economic and education development but warned that the ABSU will oppose the move for the inclusion of six advanced communities in ST list. He further said the move of the BJP led government was totally politically motivated.

The ABSU president said for the protection of identity, culture, land and political right of the Indigenous Bodo people the All Bodo Students' Union will continue its democratic mass movement and intensify to any extent to achieve the long-cherished goal to create Bodoland state. He said the union will strongly oppose any decision of the government which are going to affect the right and privilege of the existing tribals of the Assam.

Also read: ABSU warns the government not to play with future of students