Karbi Organizations Oppose Granting of ST (H) Status to Bodos

Guwahati, January 27, 2020:

On the day of the signing of the historic tripartite agreement between the Government and the Bodo stakeholders, several Karbi organizations have launched protests demanding the Government to roll back its decision to grant ST (H) status to Bodos living in Karbi-dominated areas.

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The Karbi Students' Association, in a press note, welcomed the signing of the peace Accord, but at the same time opposed the granting of ST (H) status to the Bodos.

"We have come to learn that the modalities prepared before signing up the signing up the agreement, the Government of India has reincorporated another controversial issue of Clause 8 of BLT Accord. The Karbi Students' Association (KSA) and the people of Karbi Anglong have been opposing it "tooth-and-nail" because implementation of Clause 8 of BLT Accord will bring a serious threat to existing ST (H) of Assam. The Bodos are the most advanced among the tribals of Assam, hence they wre placed in the ST (P) category in the ST lists; while Karbi, Dimasa, Hmar, Kuki etc were placed in ST (H) status", read the note undersigned by Semson Teron, the President of the organization.

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The Amri Karbi National Council staged a protest outside the Assam Governor's residence in Guwahati, and many of the activists were seen yelling slogans and decrying the Government's lackadaisical approach in fulfilling their demands.

The organization has put forth a charter of demands to the Government including the granting of ST (H) status to the Amri Karbi tribe, creation of a 'Amri Longri' Autonomous Council, elimination of 6 Tiwa Constituencies from Dimoria area, and the immediate repealing of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

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