APCC Accuses Assam Government of Betrayal on ST Status for Indigenous Communities

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) sharply criticized the state government for allegedly misleading six indigenous communities regarding their Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. APCC Working President Roselina Tirkey accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the state government of longstanding deceit toward the Moran, Matak, Ahom, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes.

Tirkey asserted that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is not genuinely committed to the indigenous people of Assam, describing him as part of a web of lies and betrayal. She claimed the government is prioritizing political imbalance over resolving pressing national issues. APCC General Secretary Bipul Gogoi highlighted that MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain publicly revealed the government's lack of action on this matter during a parliamentary session.

The APCC highlighted a response from Durga Das Uikey, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, who admitted that the Assam government failed to submit reports from two ministerial groups formed to address the ST issue. Gogoi criticized the BJP for lacking sincerity, contrasting it with the 1996 Congress government's initial efforts under Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia. Bedabrata Bora, Chairman of the APCC Media Department, condemned the BJP for making hollow promises and challenges Chief Minister Sarma to implement the Biplab Sharma report on safeguarding indigenous community rights.

(With inputs from agencies.)