HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Dec 6: A delegation representing the All Assam Sema Naga Council, including president Kahoto Sema, vice president Kasto Sema, general secretary Hotoi Sema, All Assam Sema Student Union secretary Khekoto Sema, and Tirap Tribal Development Society general secretary Nayung Mossang, met with state chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Tinsukia Convention Centre. The delegation submitted a memorandum addressing pressing issues faced by the Scheduled Tribe people of the Tirap Tribal belt under the 83rd number Margherita Constituency in Tinsukia district.
Kahoto Sema stated that the Sema Naga community has been residing for generations in the Tirap tribal belt, the proposed site for the OCP coal mining project. Recognising the socio-economic backwardness and vulnerability of the Sema Naga community, Sema stressed the importance of legal provisions and safeguard measures enacted for the welfare and interests of the Scheduled Tribes.
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Highlighting the historical background of the Sema Naga community in the erstwhile NEFA (North East Frontier Agency), now part of Arunachal Pradesh, Kahoto Sema mentioned the presence of many historical documents still in their possession.
The memorandum expressed strong objections from the aboriginal inhabitants of the Scheduled Tribe in Paharpur Sema villages and the peripheries of Paharpur reserve forest. The objections were directed towards the revocation of the order dated 23/08/2023, e-tender number 39548820, issued by Digboi Forest Division, Digboi. The delegation also urged the cancellation of the proposed dumping ground at Saleki area by NEC CIL Margherita on approximately 200 bighas of land. Kasto Sema highlighted the lack of consent from the residents of the area for the proposed project.
Assuring the delegation, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pledged to discuss and address the concerns raised in the memorandum comprehensively.
