Adivasi Community in Assam Seeks Presidential Intervention for Rights
AASAA Submits Memorandum to President
Diphu, June 12: The Karbi Anglong district committee of the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) has presented a five-point memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, urging immediate action on the longstanding issues faced by the Adivasi community in Assam.
The memorandum outlines several critical demands, including the prompt execution of Clause 1.1 of the Adivasi Peace Accord, the recognition of Adivasis in Assam as Scheduled Tribes (ST), the provision of free land pattas to Adivasis in Karbi Anglong, the establishment of a model senior secondary school at Lahorijan Tea Estate free from political interference, safeguarding the political rights of Adivasis in Sixth Schedule areas following the 125th Constitutional Amendment, and the protection of Lahorijan and Nirmal Kumar tea estates from illegal encroachments and land grabbers.
During the memorandum submission, Anil Toppo, the chief advisor of the AASAA central committee, issued a stern warning regarding ongoing land encroachments and the neglect of Adivasi rights. He stated, “If KAAC chief Dr. Tuliram Ronghang does not cease the encroachment of Adivasi land, we will have no choice but to initiate district-wide protests throughout Karbi Anglong.”
Toppo further asserted the historical significance of Adivasis in the Sixth Schedule region, emphasizing, “We have inhabited this land since before the establishment of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. We are the original inhabitants, yet we are forced to live as tenants on our own land.”
In a fervent speech, he criticized successive governments, including both the ruling party and the Congress, for treating Adivasis merely as a vote bank. “Since India gained independence, our community has been deprived of essential infrastructure such as roads, schools, healthcare, safe drinking water, and access to government schemes. The commitments made to us have remained unfulfilled for decades,” he lamented.
The subdivisional officer (Civil) of Bokajan officially received and acknowledged the memorandum.