Orgs. in Karbi Anglong stage protest over election of general communities to KAAC

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Sep. 5 (EMN): Just a day after the signing of the ‘Karbi peace accord’ by six extremist organisations of Karbi Anglong with the state and Central government in New Delhi, various social organisations have protested the accord concerning the insertion of 10 seats to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), which is now open for all communities.

The 24+ social organisations demonstrated a protest in front of the BJP-EKADC office along Diphu-Manja road here on Sunday. They burned tyres in front of the road and shouted slogans. Later, the police reached the spot and cleared the road.

Ratan Terang of United Karbi Students Association said, “We have opposed the peace accord as the peace accord is against the Sixth Schedule. In the coming days we are going to oppose it democratically”.

Convenor of 24+ social organisations, Litsong Rongphar said that in the existing KAAC in Karbi Anglong, the provision for seat reservation has already been in practice. The organisations are demanding for implementation of paragraph two sub-paragraph seven of the Sixth Schedule to the constitution of India, for making of new rules to the council with approval of the Governor.

He said, “The signing of the peace accord by six extremist organisations on Saturday, instead of strengthening the political, social, economic and land rights of the Karbis has now led to weakening of such rights. We cannot accept the peace accord and anything that happens from the outcome of the peace accord will be held responsible by signatories of the six extremist organisations”.

One of the members of the organisations and President of Karbi Farmers Association, Avinush Ronghang said, “Though we welcome the peace accord, on one side it is a black day for us as the peace accord mentioned that out of 44 elected seats in KAAC, 34 seats are reserved for ST communities and other 10 seats are open for all communities. The 10 seats open for all means throwing the door open for the general communities to get elected to KAAC and dominance over the ST communities”

“The insertion of this particular point (10 seats open for all) is unacceptable by us and we are prepared to protest through democratic means. If required we will approach the Gauhati High Court”, Ronghang stated.

“The ‘Team Karbi Anglong’ of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council led by CEM, Tuliram Ronghang taking such wrong steps to suppress the hill tribe communities through the peace accord is unacceptable, he added.