Demand for Karbi Anglong autonomous state grows louder

Our Correspondent

Diphu, Dec. 7 (EMN): The demand for the creation of autonomous state by the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) and Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA) has grown louder following the Central government’s alleged intention to create two new states as per a news report in electronic media.

In a press conference held here at the ASDC Central Committee office on Wednesday, party publicity secretary, Daniel Teron said, “The ASDC, KSA and KNCA have sent a memorandum to Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on December 7, 2022 not to adopt a pick and choose policy in respect to creation of new states. The Central government is clandestinely contemplating creating two new states of Kamatapur to be carved out of Bengal and certain parts of Assam which are out in the electronic media of Assam. Talks have been initiated between the Central government and Eastern Naga People Organisations (ENPO) on December 6, 2022 for the creation of eastern Nagaland.”

ASDC president, Chandra said there is a provision in the constitution of India for granting Autonomous State for the hill districts in Assam, but the successive governments at the Centre have not taken interest in it.

‘The BJP in its election manifesto mentioned the Autonomous state and it has become a core issue for them, but when the election ends the issue dies out,’ Terang said.

The party general secretary and former Chief Executive Member (CEM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Jotson Bey said, “When Meghalaya was created in 1969, the Parliament has incorporated Article 244(A) in the constitution in the constitution of India for creation of autonomous State comprising Karbi Anglong and NC Hills. It has now become a constitutional right and the Karbis and Dimasas of the two hill districts have their rights to demand an autonomous state.”

Bey also said that every successive government at the Centre creates new states on the line of community and language.

‘Say about Northeast India, where Nagaland was created by a single Nagaland hill district, Mizoram was created from the Lusai hill district and Meghalaya was created from three autonomous hills districts comprising Garo hills, Khasi hills and Jaintia hills districts.  In this context it has every constitutional right to grant an autonomous state for Karbi Anglong and NC hills,’ the former CEM said.

Teron on the other hand criticised the All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC) for giving more preference for the full exercise of the 6th Scheduled provision rather than an autonomous state. He said that when the Central government is contemplating  the creation of new states, ‘the APHLC demanding for the maximum exercise of 6th Schedule is negating the autonomous state demand’.

‘The APHLC should change their mindsets,’ Teron said.

Moreover,  the party also submitted a memorandum to Tuliram Ronghang, CEM, KAAC and Horensing Bey, MP requesting both of them to take up the issue of Autonomous State with Central and state governments.

A delegation of the ASDC, KSA and KNCA is also expected to have an audience with the Union Home Minister between December 10 to the 15th in New Delhi, added Teron.