Tribal groups float united front

Resolutions demand Article 244(A), peace pacts with ultras & leaving tribal benefits intact

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 19: Ahead of next year's assembly elections, an array of influential tribal organizations in the State, including representatives of autonomous councils, on Saturday floated a united front to "protect the rights of the tribal people".

At a convention held at ITA Centre at Machkhowa, BPF president Hagrama Mohilary was selected as the chairman of the joint forum christened as the United People's Front.

Jayanta Rongpi was selected as the vice-president and Ranuj Pegu will be its general secretary.

Mohilary claimed that no party will be able to form the next government in the State without the support of the front.

The front, he said, will fight for implementation of Article 244 (A) - state under a state - of the Constitution in tribal areas. "Article 244 (A) is our constitutiol right and a protection for the people," he said.

The front also demanded peace pacts with insurgents groups in the State on the lines of the agreement signed by the Centre with the NSCN(IM).

In another resolution, the front said though it does not oppose ST status to the six ethnic communities of the State, yet the move should not affect the interests of the indigenous tribal groups.