First ethnic tribal groups' assembly of headmen held in Silchar

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: In its first ever assembly of all Barak Valley indigenous headmen held on Thursday in the premises of Manipuri boys' hostel here discussed the 5-point agenda reflecting on the varied problems faced by them. The meet was organised by the core body of 19 organisations of indigenous tribes under the banner of Barak Valley Indigenous Ethnic People's Coordination Committee (BVIEPCC) and attended by 289 headmen and 39 prominent leading leaders of respective tribes' apex body and students' unions.

Faced with multi faced problems and lack of coordination among them, the headmen have resolved to form Barak Valley Headmen's Association. The recent notification issued by the State government regarding honorarium to headmen came up for discussion in order to avail the benefit. The assembly took umbrage at the faulty population census of the scheduled tribes and decided to move the authorities for necessary correction and update. The hardship on the tribes is often created by a dubious nexus between outsiders in conjunction with forest protection force, particularly encroachment of reserve forest land and its wealth. The glaring example is of Bhuvan Hills of Cachar on the borders with Manipur and Mizoram, well protected during Congress but now brazenly being deforested.

The assembly was presided over by advocate Babu Singh, president of BVIEPCC and conducted by Man Chorei. The agenda was briefed by advocate Sanjay Barman Phonglo, advisor, All Dimasa Students' Union. Sebastine Pakyntien, advisor of the apex body of Barak Valley Khasi Jaintia Welfare Organisation at the very outset explained the purpose of the meet and its significance. Enlightened speaker N Nanda Babu Singh ACS and ex principal secretary APSC called upon youngsters of ethnic groups to study well and work for the uplift of the tribal people. Motivational speech was delivered by Charles Rymbai, President of BVKJWO. The meeting was also attended by 19 various ethnic tribes and student bodies. The first ever well attended meet unanimously resolved to form Barak Valley Headmen Coordination Committee with SebastinePakyntien as president and Sanjay Barman as chief convener along with an all tribe representative executive body.

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