Gorkhas in Karbi Anglong demand seat in forthcoming KAAC election

Our Correspondent
Diphu, April 23 (EMN): The All Assam Gorkha Students Union, Karbi Anglong District Committee (AAGSU-KADC) said that Gorkhas, being one of the Scheduled tribes of Karbi Anglong, are being deprived of development in all fronts and demanded that in this forthcoming Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) election, one Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) seat each from Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong must be allotted for the Gorkha community.

In a press conference held at District Press Club of Karbi Anglong office on Saturday, the AAGSU-KADC, general secretary Dipok Dahal said they have been pressurising the Assam government and KAAC authority to take up steps for the development of Gorkha community residing in Karbi Anglong.

A memorandum with three points of charter of demand was given to the Chief Executive Member, KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang regarding various issues and problems of Gorkha and for their uplift.

 But the CEM has not invited the AAGSU leaders for discussion, the general secretary said.

 “The Gorkhas have been residing in Karbi Anglong as indigenous community. They were included as one of the recognised ST communities in the formation of United Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills District in 1951under the provision of Sixth Scheduled.

“71 years have passed after the formation of present KAAC, but not much change is seen among the Gorkhas living in Karbi Anglong and this is due to the step motherly treatment by KAAC.  We urge under the able leadership of CEM Ronghang to invite us for discussion in solving the problems and needs of the Gorkhas,” he said.

President, AAGSU- KADC Suraj Chetri said the organisation has been conducting literary campaigns and other programmes for social and economic uplift. 

The general secretary Dahal further said Gorkhas living on the inter-state border in West Karbi Anglong have been protecting the border. The AAGSU have been demanding for the setting-up of a police station for the safety of the people living there, but that is not yet done.

“Education percentage among the Gorkhas is still low and use of modern technology of cultivation. We want the KAAC to give more preference for the development of the Gorkha community.

For better development of Gorkhas we are demanding for the constitution of Gorkha Development Board, but that is also not yet done by KAAC,” Dahal said.

He also said, “One of the points mentioned in our charter of demand was to have one MAC seat each from Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. This is for our political safeguard .We therefore urge the CEM to allot one seat each to Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong for Gorkha community in forthcoming KAAC election.”