Around 500 supporters of All Adivasi Students Association of Assam (AASAA), Karbi Anglong District Committee (KADC) today organised a mass rally in Bokajan demanding ‘Schedule Tribe’ (ST) status for the Adivasi people of Assam and ST(H) status for those residing in the sixth schedule areas as of KarbiAnglong, Dima Hasao and others. The protesters also demanded for an Adivasi satellite council in Assam and repatriated the demand for increasing the daily wage of tea garden workers to Rs 351/day.
Later, the demonstrators accumulated in front of SDO(C) office in Bokajan and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister highlighting the core issues of the Adivasi community residing in Assam. The protesters expressed resentment over the delay in according ST status and alleged both the center and state government of politicizing the adivasi issue since long. The protestors also warned the government of vigorous mass agitations if their demands are not met with early solutions.
Addressing the media, AASAA KADC President Sunil Dungdung said, “ Before the Lok Sabha Election, 2014; the BJP government at the centre promised to grant ST status to the adivasi people residing in Assam.
Again, during the 2016 Assembly Election, the adivasi people extended support to the BJP party seeking a change in the government setup and believing that only change can bring about solutions to the burning issues of the adivasi community in the state. However, the issues remained unchanged and the government failed to deliver what was promised to our people till date.
PSDTTU backs NTTU
Pungro Sub-Division Timber Traders’ Union (PSDTTU) has expressed shock on the illegal taxation being imposed upon the traders which it termed was a “blatant and unacceptable”. While backing Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) for raising the issue, the union has appealed to the state government to take action against the erring officials.
The union president, JB. Shahoto in a statement has also condemned the action of the officials, who at their “whimsical state” has resumed the taxation. It therefore, urged the state government to do away with taxation and initiate action against the defaulters.
