ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Aug 24: The Abotani Clan Organization (ATCO) on Monday reiterated its demand for the immediate creation of the Department of Abotani Traditional and Cultural affairs (DATCA) as well as the declaration of October 25th as a state holiday and fund sanction for construction of Tani Bhawan under cabinet committee on infrastructure (CCI).
In a press conference, General Secretary, ATCO, Jumi Loya lamented that despite sending several memoranda and reminders about their demands, no serious thought has been taken to establish the department.
“Despite the Tani clan which constitutes more than half the tribal population in the state, there is no provision to preserve its rich cultural heritage, traditions and rituals, etc. Therefore we would like to request the state government to immediately create DATCA in line with  DoTCL and DoKA, " Loya said.
He also requested the   government to table their demands for discussion in the ensuing assembly session and fulfill their demands in the interest of the Tani tribes in the state.
Meanwhile, the union expressed disappointment over being denied to hold a peaceful rally by the capital district administration despite assurance to the DC to maintain SOPs and follow law and order.  The ATCO had earlier sought permission to conduct a peaceful rally but their request was rejected due to unknown reasons. 
The union has also categorically rejected the demand for Mon and Patkai Autonomous Councils citing the demands goes against the Pan Arunachal vision.
"We reject any attempt to grant selective autonomous regions in the state. Such divisive demands should be scrapped immediately, " President, ATCO, Tapa Ruji suggested.
He termed the proposal made in the state assembly in 2004 for the creation of Mon and Patkai autonomous council as the biggest blunder ever made in history.
"Our current legislators must learn from the mistake and correct the wrong decision by opposing the granting of autonomy to ensure that the next generation does not suffer for their mistake.  Once given special status, it will have a far-reaching impact on the existing unity among the tribal people in the near future, ” Ruji lamented.  
Saying that the autonomous council is given to a place when local people are overwhelmed by outsiders, Ruji said that demands for autonomy of a region will ignite the feeling of deprivation and marginalization among other tribes.
"Arunachal is a purely tribal-state which is provided with constitutional protection, therefore, there is no need to accord special status to a particular community, " he said, clarifying that the organization is not against the government but the demand for autonomy.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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