GUWAHATI: The Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) has asked union home minister Amit Shah to respond to the demands of self-determination of autonomous statehood.
On Tuesday, members of banned outfits of Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT), United People’s Liberation Army (UPLA) and People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK) laid down their arms before the state government at a function and joined the mainstream.
Subsequently, Shah is slated to declare the signing of a peace accord with the groups in a mass rally at Dengaon in Karbi Anglong on February 25.
“While appreciating the Government of India and the Government of Assam for facilitating all armed organizations to shun violence and join the mainstream of society, JACAS appeals Government of India to fulfill their demand for self-determination i.e. Autonomous Statehood as provided under Article 244-A of the Constitution of India. Creation of an Autonomous State within the State of Assam as provided under Article 244-A of the Constitution is a constitutional, democratic and longstanding demand of the hill people of Karbi Anglong (bifurcated in 2016 and the Dima Hasao),” said Khorsing Teron, chairman of JACAS.
The JACAS reminded the BJP led government that the latter had promised of implementing Article 244-A of the Constitution in 2008.
Teron added, “’The JACAS, therefore, appeals home minister Amit Shah to declare the creation of an Autonomous State to fulfill the BJP’s promise and to fulfill the political aspirations of the hill people to usher in lasting peace and positive ‘Parivartan’ in the hill areas of Assam.”
Last week, declaring ‘Unilateral Ceasefire’ prior to laying down of arms, submitted a memorandum to Shah demanding an autonomous state for the Karbi tribal community. They claimed that it is only the ‘viable’ solution towards a harmonious coexistence between the hill tribes and the plain people. The memorandum also called for social justice for Karbis with other tribes in the plain districts of the state and sought measures to preserve and develop Karbi language, custom and culture.
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