Tiwa Organisations Demand Sixth Schedule Status for Tiwa Autonomous Council, Announce Political Convention on November 10.
Allege conspiracy to undermine tribal land rights; threaten mass protest at Jagiroad on November 13.
Dalim Phukan.
Hills Live News,Morigaon, November 4: The All Tiwa Students Union (ATSU) and various Tiwa ethnic organisations have intensified their demand for the inclusion of the Tiwa Autonomous Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, along with constitutional safeguards and greater political and administrative rights for the Tiwa community.
At a joint meeting of representatives of the organisations held on November 3, several important decisions were taken regarding the protection of Tiwa identity, land rights and the overall development of the community.
The organisations recalled their meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on December 25, 2025, during which the demand for constitutional protection of the Tiwa Autonomous Council was discussed. They also welcomed the appointment of a retired IPS officer, Dr Lajja Ram Bishnoi, as an interlocutor by the Union Home Ministry for facilitating the process of negotiations.
The organisations expressed their gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and State Education and Tribal Affairs Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu for their respective initiatives in this regard.
They further recalled the Assam government’s notification issued on August 9, 2024, regarding the inclusion of additional villages in the Tiwa Autonomous Council area and the increase in the number of council constituencies from 30 to 38. They demanded fresh delimitation of the constituencies and preparation of a revised electoral roll after incorporating the newly included villages, followed by elections to the council.
The organisations also welcomed the Assam government’s decision to allow political parties to contest the Tiwa Autonomous Council elections using their respective party symbols.
As part of their future political programme, the organisations have decided to organise a major political convention at the Morigaon district headquarters on November 10. The convention will discuss the formation of a political platform to ensure the comprehensive development of the Tiwa community and other ethnic communities residing in the council area. All like-minded individuals and representatives of national organisations have been invited to participate.
Meanwhile, the Central Committee of the ATSU has strongly criticised what it described as a conspiracy to destroy tribal belt and block areas in the name of development.
In a separate statement issued on November 3, the organisation alleged that despite repeated demands to the Assam government and district administration for eviction of illegal encroachers from 17 tribal belt and block areas and cancellation of illegal land mutations, no effective action had been taken.
The organisation expressed serious concern over alleged attempts to destroy the tribal belt and block areas of the Tiwa Autonomous Council, particularly the Gova and Palahguri tribal belt and block areas, in the name of development and urbanisation of Jagiroad.
It asserted that the destruction of tribal belt and block areas could not be accepted under any circumstances and alleged that such moves amounted to a conspiracy to deprive the Tiwa community and other indigenous people of their traditional land rights.
The organisation has announced a mass protest programme at Jagiroad on November 13 to press for its demands.
The statement was signed by Central Committee ATSU president Prasanta Masrong, vice-president Kandarpa Hukai, general secretary Tarun Madar and other office-bearers.