DHAKUAKHANA, Oct 8: An Indigenous-Adivasi Jatiya Mahasabha will be held in Dhakuakhana on October 31 and November 1 to discuss the protection and rights of indigenous and Adivasi communities in Assam.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference by the organising committee and the Asom Sanmilit Mahasangha at the Dhakuakhana Press Guild office on Thursday.
Organising Committee general secretary Alok Chamuah said indigenous communities were facing challenges over land, resources and their rights in their traditional homeland. He said nationalist organisations supporting 1951 as the base year for Indian citizenship in Assam and 1826 as the base year for determining indigenous status had been invited to the convention.
Chamuah also referred to the legal challenge being pursued by the Asom Sanmilit Mahasangha in the Supreme Court over the use of the 1971 cutoff year for granting citizenship.
Mahasangha Security Council president Matiur Rahman and secretary general Bhupen Narah referred to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and stressed the need for measures to protect the interests of indigenous communities.
Organising Committee president Prafulla Chutia, working president Gobin Baruah and other office-bearers were present at the press conference.
