Silchar, October 10: Members of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Barak Valley Circle, Assam have requested Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjee, chief advisor to the North East Students’ Organization (NESO), Assam, to take up a few matters related to recognition of Scheduled Tribe status to all the indigenous Khasi tribes or communities living in the excluding autonomous districts councils in the whole state of Assam.
They have demanded immediate allotment of land and funds for construction of Khasi students hostel cum guest house at proper Silchar and implementation of Forest Rights Act, 2005 by allotting of titles (pattas) and boundary demarcation of titles of the Schedule Tribes living in Barak Valley, with the Government of Assam.
A letter was handed over to him at the 10-year anniversary celebration of KSU which was held at District Library of this town last Saturday. Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjee attended the grand event as the chief guest. They have mentioned in the letter that it is constitution and creation of Khasi Jaintia Development Council (KJDC) Assam, that has become urgent and needs immediate attention.
Elaborating on the demands, they have stated that as per the Government of India Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act 1976 and the revised list of Assam Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act 2002 issued by the Department of Welfare of Plains Tribes and Backward Classes, Government of Assam in 2003 has dubiously not recognized official in the Assam Gazettes.
It has been mentioned in the letter that while the Government of Assam had in 2001 accorded ST status to the Garo tribe all over Assam who were, till then, also excluded from the ST status in non autonomous areas of Assam. In addition to this, they have stated that Khasis, especially the college going students of Cachar districts are facing extreme difficulties and hardship in order to reach out to the mainstream who are coming from far flung Punjees for educational purposes, medical treatment and official purposes for lack of proper safety, security, economical and financial constraints.
As a result of which almost 90% of communities’ students are compelled to leave or drop out for not being able to afford to pay their costly room rents.In this regard, it has been requested that the case may be brought to the notice of the government of Assam so that the vacant land under Dag No 3135 (PT) of Mouza, Silchar town, Pargana – Barakpar may be allotted for the purpose of building a hostel for Khasi students.
The Khasis of Barak Valley have been praying for the creation of KJDC so that they can get opportunities for participating in social, economic, educational, ethnic and cultural work. The programme began with the hoisting of flag by Samuel B Jyrwa, chairperson of NESO who was also the guest of honour at the occasion. Among others present at the function included Morning Suja, president and Wanbor Pdang, general secretary, of KSU BVC, Lovingwell Mukhim, general secretary, BVKJWO, Donald Bthabah and KSU, CEC.
