From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Creation of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in neighbouring Darjeeling areas in West Bengal has inspired Gorkhas and Adivasis in Assam to raise similar demands for self rule within the state.
The Gorkhas in the state have already announced that they will launch a democratic movement for creation of a Gorkha Autonomous Council (GAC) within the state. The decision was taken in the just concluded conference of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union (AAGSU).
The state government recently formed a Gorkha Development Council (GDC) in Assam in response to the decade old demand of the community for an autonomous council, however, the signing of GTA pact in West Bengal has raised hopes for the community for autonomy.
“We have accepted the development council for Gorkhas in Assam. But we haven’t accepted it in lieu of our demand for an autonomous council. We are going to launch a democratic movement to press for our demand for an autonomous council in the days to come,” said a spokesman of the Aagsu.
The AAGSU stated that Gorkhas in Assam would always strive for over all prosperity of all communities in Assam and stand for geographical integrity of the state while seeking autonomy for itself.
The Gorkhas’ demand for a GAC has been supported by the pro-talks faction of the ULFA.
A senior leader of the ULFA faction, Mrinal Hazarika while addressing the conference of the AAGSU stated that the ULFA favoured grant of autonomy to indigenous Gorkha community in Assam by the Centre through a process of dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Adivasi community in Assam too has raised demand for a development council for the community and knocked at the door of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) has urged Gogoi to set up a development council for the community through signing of a tripartite agreement involving the Central government, state government and various Adivasi organisations.
The Adivasis a major constituent of the population pattern in the state. The community has discernible presence in districts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.