Guwahati: The Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has constituted a Consultative Group to examine and provide suggestions on the recommendation of the state government’s Group of Ministers (GoM) regarding the inclusion of six communities in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of Assam.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the CCTOA Core Committee held on Monday. The Consultative Group comprises eminent personalities from administrative, legal, social and autonomous council backgrounds.
Noted human rights defender Suhas Chakma, a member of the Core Group of NGOs, Human Rights Defenders under the National Human Rights Commission, has been appointed Chairman of the Consultative Group.
The other members include Kulaswami Laduary, IAS (Retd.); Prafulla Kumar Hajuary, ACS (Retd.); Jiten Bargayary, ACS (Retd.); Tankeswar Rabha, Chief Executive Member of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council; Dharmsing Teron, former MLA and former Chairman of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council; Elwin Teron, Chief Adviser to the CEM, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council; Kharsing Teron, Adviser to the CEM, Anglong Autonomous Council; Sabdaram Rabha, senior advocate of the Gauhati High Court; and Bilash Chandra Doley, retired Joint Director, Audit (Local Fund).
The first meeting of the Consultative Group will be held on December 21 at 11 am at Vivekananda Kendra, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati.
It may be mentioned that the Assam government had earlier submitted a report to the State Assembly recommending ST status for six communities—Moran, Motok, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasi). However, following objections raised by existing Scheduled Tribe groups, discussions were held between the state government and CCTOA. The formation of the Consultative Group is seen as a step towards a comprehensive review of the issue.
