Sivasagar SC Students’ Union Protests Alleged Transfer of SC-Reserved Ward to Mising Autonomous Council

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SIVASAGAR: The Sivasagar District Scheduled Caste Students’ Union has raised strong objections to the alleged strategic inclusion of a Scheduled Caste (SC)-reserved ward into the Mising Autonomous Council during constituency reorganization.

The issue revolves around Ward No. 5 of the Desangmukh Gaon Panchayat, which has been reserved for SC individuals since the introduction of the Panchayati Raj system in Assam. However, the Union alleges that through manipulative means, Ward No. 5 was merged with Ward No. 6, transferring its jurisdiction to the Mising Autonomous Council, thereby stripping SC residents of their rightful claim.

The Union’s Central Committee Secretary, Mridul Das, expressed strong resentment, describing the move as a calculated conspiracy to deprive SC individuals of their entitlements.

In response, the Sivasagar SC Students’ Union staged a massive sit-in protest on Thursday at Dolmukh Chariali in Sivasagar town, in front of the statue of Dr Bhupen Hazarika. Hundreds of men and women participated in the protest, raised slogans and demanded the immediate restoration of Ward No. 5’s SC reservation status.

Memoranda were submitted through the Sivasagar District Commissioner to the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, calling for urgent action. The Union had previously submitted a memorandum to the District Commissioner on December 17, 2024, seeking intervention.

The Union’s Sivasagar District Committee President, Bidyut Das, warned of intensified protests if the matter is not addressed promptly. In a press release, he stated, “We will not tolerate the devious plot to stagnate the development of SC individuals by transferring Ward No. 5 to the Mising Autonomous Council. This is an attack on our fundamental rights.”

From the protest site, the Union also sent memoranda to the Assam Chief Minister, the State Education Minister and the District Guardian Minister, urging immediate action to resolve the issue.

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