JCCPA reiterates removal of certain clauses in Karbi Peace Accord

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Dec. 19 (EMN): In a press conference held at District Press Club of Karbi Anglong office on Dec 19, the Joint Coordination Committee for Protection of Autonomy (JCCPA) adopted certain resolutions regarding the recently concluded seminar on the provisions of the Sixth Schedule (clause 2.3) of MoS signed between the government of India and six armed organisations, which was held at Diphu Club on Dec. 18.

During the conference, the JCCPA resolved to chalk out a series of programmes and to carry them out to raise public awareness for formation of strong public opinion against the contentious clauses, particularly clause 2.3 that proposes to make 10 elective seats of the KAAC ‘open for all categories’.

It decided to appeal to the chief executive member of KAAC to convene an all party meeting to discuss the contentious clauses of the MoS, to appeal to the chairman of KAAC to convene an emergency special session to adopt resolution against clause 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.9 and 2.11 of the MoS, to appeal to the government of India and state to invite all stakeholders for discussion, to find an acceptable solution and to revive the Autonomous State demand movement in the hill districts of Assam.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Hills Tribal League and convenor of JCCPA, Saising Rongpi informed that in the seminar (Dec. 18), the speakers consented that the Sixth Schedule to the constitution of India is especially for the specially-protected people of specified areas. The existing 26 elective seats of KAA are not ‘open for all’ as such the proposition of making 10 elective seats of the KA is against the very spirit of the Sixth Schedule, adding that the Karbis, Rengma Nagas, Dimasas and other hill tribes proper of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong therefore, should reject clause 2.3 of the MoS.

He also said the JCCPA will try its best to raise public awareness for moulding strong public opinion against all the clauses and thereby urged all political and non-political organisations in Karbi Anglong to mobilise public support to remove them.