ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, May 24:Former Minister, Bida Taku while highlighting the plight of few non-APST communities of Lekang Constituency has suggested for their inclusion under Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and facilitating them with Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) on humanitarian grounds.

He has been demanding ST and PRC for seven tribes settled in Lekang circle  areas such as Adivasis, Ahoms, Deoris, Kacharis, Mishings, Morans and Nepalis on the ground that they have been living there prior to 1968  and are already recognized as ST in Assam.

In a press conference held this afternoon at press club, Taku while observing that his demand might invite criticism from other indigenous tribes however stated that it is wrong to assume that these tribes would become an advanced community if once enlisted as ST.

 “It is a wrong concept of our people that these oppressed communities would one day dilute the indigenous fabric. We must not forget that generations of them have been settled at Lekang since last 50-60 years and have adopted tribal characteristics now,” he asserted.  

Is this not enough they be given ST status so they can live with full dignity and pride? Are they not human beings? All these years, these communities were subjected to injustice in education and employment due to negligence of successive governments. Now time has come that they should be given right at par with other tribes to bring social equality and to eradicate backwardness, he opined.

He also informed in 2010, the then governor of state had also given his approval on granting of PRC to Non-APST settled at Lohit and Changlang Districts and directed the Chief Secretary to form a joint high power committee to initiate the process.

However, Taku expressed disappointment that despite submission of committee report, the government has not facilitated them with their rights till date.

Armed with RTI documents, he even went on to claim that many people from these tribes were earlier appointed as Gaon Burahs and many still are engaged in Panchayati Raj Institution there.

Clarifying that he has no political agenda behind the demand, Taku accused the government of ignoring their decades old demand and especially criticized the local MLA, Chowna Mein for failing to fulfill the aspiration of the people of his constituency.

In this context, Taku requested the government to look into the issue on priority and solve the issue forever in the greater interest of these marginalized tribal people.

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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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