Kokrajhar MP Naba Sarania stripped of ST(P) status

Guwahati: The state government's Department of Tribal Affairs (Plain) has finally resolved the question of Kokrajhar MP Naba Kumar Sarania's status of belonging to ST(P), saying that he does not belong to Bodo or Bodo-Kachari community.

It was a representation by Janaklal Basumatary addressed to the State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) in 2019, urging it to cancel the ST (P) certificate issued by All Assam Tribal Sangha, Tamulpur branch, which opened the can of worms that resulted in Sarania being stripped of the ST (P) status and likely removal as MP of a HPC reserved for STs.

The SLSC initiated proceedings on the issue, writing to the Director, Tribal Affairs, Assam, asking him to inquire into the caste status of Naba Sarania through the Vigilance Committee and submit its report. The Vigilance Committee, in turn, asked the Superintendent of Police (CID) to conduct a probe into the matter, following which a field inquiry was done.

The district commissioner of Baksa was also directed to conduct an inquiry based on the land records and other documents pertaining to the family of Naba Sarania.

The matter was complicated by Naba Sarania's father using different surnames like Das, Sarukoch, Deka, Sarania, etc.

After perusal of all documents and the written statement of Naba Sarania and complainant Janaklal Basumatary, the conclusion was reached that Sarania does not belong to the Bodo or Bodo-kachari community, as mentioned in his ST (P) certificate stating that he is from the Bodo-Kachari community.

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