Dibrugarh: Following the Assam government’s decision to bring the Mising, Tiwa and Rabha communities under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, demands have intensified from the Sonowal Kachari, Deori and Thengal Kachari communities for similar constitutional protection and autonomous governance.
At a press conference held at Banikanta Pegu Bhawan here on Friday, leaders of various organisations welcomed the inclusion of the three communities but strongly criticised the government for excluding the Sonowal Kachari, Deori and Thengal Kachari groups, terming the move “discriminatory and unjust.”
Earlier in the day, Abdul Deori, president of the Deori Assong Sixth Schedule Demand Committee, convened a joint meeting attended by representatives of the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, Sonowal Kachari Yuva Parishad, All Assam Deori Mahila Parishad and other community organisations. The meeting unanimously resolved to launch a joint movement based on the 1996 Bhuria Committee recommendations and precedents such as the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
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The organisations announced a mass sit-in protest in Guwahati on January 19 and a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on February 5. A memorandum will also be submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his proposed visit to Assam. A coordination committee was formed with Kiranban Deori, Milan Sonowal and Prafulla Thengal (Saikia) as conveners. Leaders warned of intensified agitation and raised concerns over alleged encroachment in Tribal Sub-Plan areas.
