Sonowal appoints new mediator on ST status

GUWAHATI: The Government of Assam has           appointed Pallav Bhattacharjee, Additional DGP (Special Branch), Assam as the new mediator to liaise with the organisations demanding for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status of six communities of the state.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced this while discussing the progress on the issue of ST status to the leadership of these organizations in a meeting at Brahmaputra State Guest House on Friday night.
Reiterating state government’s commitment to the cause of Scheduled Tribe status to these communities, the Chief Minister said that he had already taken up the matter with the Union Home Minister and the issue was moving in the right direction.
The Chief Minister assured the organisations that he would call on the Union Home Minister along with the different agitating organisations for a discussion about the report of the Recommendation Committee after the Lok Sabha and Assembly bi-elections were over in the state.
Stating that the state government’s commitment to the cause is manifested by several rounds of discussions it has made with these organisations recently, Sonowal called for their co-operation and patience for a positive outcome.
The Chief Minister also requested the organisations to reconsider their            agitational programme and withdraw the bandh call given by them. He requested the organisations to be patient in discussion so as to come to a conclusion that properly benefits them.
Representatives of the organisations expressed satisfaction on the assurance given by the Chief Minister.
They later informed that they would reconsider their agitational programme keeping in mind the greater interest of the six communities of the state.
Meanwhile, the agitating organisations representing the six ethnic communities – Tai-Ahom, Moran, Motok, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribe – have decided to call a bandh inorder for their demands to be heard.
Their spokesperson stated that the 72-hours state-wide bandh will be called on Saturday to press for their demand for Scheduled Tribe status from November 1 next.