HT Bureau
DIPHU, Aug 7: The Karbi Anglong & Dima Hasao Autonomous State Demand Committee (KADHASDCOM) has addressed the criticism levelled against its recent visit to New Delhi by the All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC).
During the visit, a delegation consisting of KADHASDCOM and other organisations submitted a memorandum to the Union home minister, Amit Shah, urging the implementation of Autonomous State status under Article 244 (A) of the Indian Constitution. However, the president of APHLC, JI Kathar, criticised the visit, alleging that it was a ploy by the ruling party (BJP) to gain an advantage in the 2024 general elections.
One of the organisations in the delegation was the Karbi Students Association (KSA). George Timung, the general secretary of KSA, addressed the issue during a press conference at the KSA Rongthe-ang office, stating, “We submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on July 31 at his Parliament office, New Delhi, urging the immediate implementation of Article 244(A) of the Indian Constitution for Autonomous State status. The allegations made by APHLC President JI Kathar that the visit and meeting with the Union Home Minister were politically motivated to gain electoral advantage in the 2024 Parliamentary election are biased, baseless, and politically motivated. We strongly condemn such unfounded allegations aimed at undermining the legitimate demand of the hill tribes and the general public of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Hills District and Dima Hasao Autonomous Hills District of Assam.”
Timung emphasised that KADHASDCOM and its allies are non-political organisations, solely committed to advocating for the autonomous state status and the welfare of the hill tribes in the region.
