Assam: NLFB demands to reserve the proposed Udalguri Lok Sabha seat for ST or face the consequence

The NLFB demand came in view of the ensuing delimitation exercise of Lok Sabha and assembly seats in the state.

Time8 Webdesk
January 4, 2023
2:53 pm

Assam: National Liberation Front of Boroland (NLFB) on Wednesday demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) to reserve the proposed Udalguri Lok Sabha constituency for scheduled tribes (ST) while maintaining the status quo for Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat as an ST reserve seat.

The NLFB demand came in view of the ensuing delimitation exercise of Lok Sabha and assembly seats in the state. The group even warned of statewide protests if their demands were not addressed.

According to NLFB official in a statement said, “Keeping in view of the recent notification issued by the Election Commission of India regarding the delimitation of the Parliamentary/ General Assembly and Legislative Assembly constituencies, the General Council of National Liberation Front of Boroland has today met in a discussion at the NLFB Head Quarter, Kokrajhar and thereby resolved to press forward the demand for maintaining the slates quo in respect of the existing reservation in Kokrajhar Lok Sabha Constituency for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.”

“Considering the recent demographical pattern and unwarranted ingression of several outsider immigrants in protected tribal lands/belts and blocks, the NLFB Leadership firmly demands the Union and the state Government as well as the Election Commission of India to notify the proposed Udalguri Lok Sabha Constituency as ST Reserved Seat in the ensuing delimitation process”, official added.

“The General Council of NLFB firmly, reiterates that upon de-reservation of the existing Kokrajhar ST Lok Sabha Constituency and the proposed Udalguri Parliamentary constituency, every Bodo organizations would be compelled to initiate a united revolution for the political safeguard of Bodos and other Indigenous tribal people of the state”, NLFB official further added.

Notably, on December 27, 2022, the Election Commission of India initiated delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam as per Section 8A of the RP Act, 1950. As mandated under Article 170 of the Constitution, census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in the state. Reservation of seats for the scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST) will be provided as per Articles 330 & 332 of the Constitution of India.