Assam: SSPC strongly opposes MoUs that undermine sixth schedule powers

OUR Correspondent

Haflong: The Sixth Schedule Protection Committee (SSPC) strongly condemned the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between private companies, the District Commissioner (DC), District Industries and Commerce Centre (DICC) as part of Advantage Assam 2.0 on February 25 in Haflong, stated Daniel Langthasa, Convenor, Sixth Schedule Protection Committee (SSPC) in a press meet held on Friday.

Langthasa said, “This act dilutes the constitutional powers of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and undermines the autonomy guaranteed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.” The Industry Department falls solely under the jurisdiction of NCHAC. Any agreements related to industries in Dima Hasao must be exclusively handled by the council and not the district administration, the state government, or any external authority. By allowing the district administration to overstep its mandate, the council itself is surrendering its powers, setting a dangerous precedent for future violations of tribal autonomy. 

Further he demanded that all MoUs signed without the sole authority of NCHAC must be revoked immediately, a resolution must be passed to ensure that only NCHAC signs and deals with industrial projects in Dima Hasao, all future industrial agreements must involve direct consultation with local landowners and Gaon Buras (GBs), priority must be given to sustainable industries like agriculture, agro-processing, green energy, and eco-tourism and not extractive industries like cement and mining that harm our land and people.

Furthermore, the convenor said that the SSPC would continue to fight against any attempt to weaken the Sixth Schedule and the autonomy of the tribal people of Dima Hasao. If these demands are ignored, they will escalate their opposition through legal and democratic means.

Also Read: Assam: Indian Army Conducts Successful ATGM Field Firing Exercise in Eastern Command

Also Watch;