New tribal front for polls likely

GUWAHATI, March 29: The three-day 32nd conference of the Assam Tribal Sangha (ATS) got underway at Tamulpur in Nalbari district today. The conference assumes significance keeping in view the forthcoming Assembly election in which a new political party is likely to emerge. Altogether nine political parties including Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC-Rongpi faction), Mising Mimang Kebang (MMK), All Assam Tiwa Students Union (AATSU) are participating in conference. According to general secretary of ATS, Aditya Khaklari several issues will come up for discussions. Khaklari further said that the conference is aimed at launching the new party by uniting the small groups. "Though it is a long-pending need for a new party, now the political leaders have agreed to carry on their movement under one umbrella," Khaklari said. He also informed that the new party would play a key role in the coming election as 'major parties have started banking on tribal votes.' "Since autonomy is a common demand of several tribal groups, the conference is likely to adopt a major resolution in this regard," Khaklari said, adding that apart from autonomy, the problems faced by the tribal community will come up for discussion. Asked whether ATS would be able to bring all tribal groups together as there were sharp differences among the leaders, Khaklari informed that leaders agreed to form a common platform in the greater interest of the tribal people. On future course of action of the new tribal group, he opined that it would intensify the autonomy movement as it is a common demand of various groups. It is learnt that apart from autonomy the conference will discuss about the diversion of fund meant for the development of the tribal people.