GUWAHATI, May 31: The smaller tribes in the State have demanded a series of measures, including creation of autonomous regional councils to safeguard their rights and interests. In a recent memorandum under the banner of the Smaller Tribes Human Rights Organization, which was submitted to the President, they said, an immediate change in the name of Karbi Anglong district is necessary with a view to maintain its multi-tribe character. They suggested the district should be named Diphu.
In view of the frequent ethnic clashes in the hills district, they have demanded village police force as per Article 244(2) of the Constitution, besides setting up of a district planning and development body to expedite the process of development. Giving details of the disparities and regional imbalances in terms of development, the rights body said that the Central Government-sponsored developmental schemes should reach the small-tribe-dominated areas also.
Apart from extension of job facilities, cultural and handloom promotion grants and revocation of reserve forest proposal from Kuki dominated areas, they have also demanded the revocation of the 1951 Boundary Notification and appointment of a boundary commission to demarcate the district’s boundary.
The organization said that, smaller tribes like Rengma Nagas, Kuki, Chakmas, Khasi Pnar, Garo, Man (Tai speaking), Dimasa and Mizo have been under constant threat, facing atrocities, discrimination, political, economic and cultural exploitation and suppression which have endangered their existence in the hills district.
The smaller tribes-dominated areas have no access to electricity, potable water, subsidized rice, schools, roads, health centres, they rued. What is more deplorable is that the authorities are yet to take any action in respect of several criminal cases, including illegal taxing by UPDS ultras.