HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Sept 11: A significant meeting between tribal organisations and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was held at Loksewa Bhawan in Guwahati on Wednesday to discuss issues related to tribal rights and land protection in the state.
The meeting was attended by Education and Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, representatives of the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), ten tribal organisations, and several tribal student bodies from the Margherita-Tirap region, led by the Tribal Organisations Coordination Committee.
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The discussions primarily focused on land rights in the Tirap Tribal Belt and Block, and the political and land rights of the Sema, Singpho, Tai Pakke, Tangsha, and Man Tai-speaking communities.
Key demands raised during the meeting included the establishment of a Heritage Village to preserve tribal culture, the formation of an Autonomous Council, measures for land protection, and political representation in Panchayati Raj institutions.
The long-standing demand for the creation of Mech and Hajong Autonomous Councils, along with issues concerning other tribal belts and blocks across Assam, were also deliberated upon.
The chief minister directed the organisations to submit a detailed report on the problems of the tribal people in the Tirap region within two months, following a thorough study of the issues.
Officials assured that the government would examine the demands carefully before taking further action.
ABSU President Dipen Boro stated that the meeting extensively discussed the protection of tribal rights and land issues, with particular emphasis on demands such as the Heritage Village, Autonomous Councils, land protection, and political rights in panchayats.
Boro said, “We had an important discussion with the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Education and Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu, chief secretary Ravi Kota and the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), along with organisations from the Tirap area, on the protection of Tirap Tribal Belts and Blocks and the political and land rights of the Sema, Singpho, Tai Pakke, Tangsha and Man Tai-speaking people.”
He further added, “The meeting discussed the demand for a Heritage Village, Autonomous Council, land protection and political rights in panchayats. We also discussed the demand for the creation of Mech and Hajong Autonomous Councils and other issues related to tribal belts and blocks in Assam.”
