Tiwa National Organisations Hold Massive Political Convention in Morigaon : New Regional Political Party, ‘Tiwa Jatiya Mancha’, Formed :Tiwa Student and Youth Leaders Launch Scathing Attack on MLA Ramakanta Deuri:Allegation that Ramakanta Deuri Used Funds Meant for Jungal Balahu Statue to Build His Farmhouse
Dalim Phukan | Hills Live News, Morigaon | November 10
A massive political convention was organised in Morigaon on Tuesday under the leadership of the All Tiwa Students’ Union (ATSU) and the initiative of various Tiwa national organisations, highlighting the alleged deprivation and discrimination faced by the historically significant Tiwa community of Central Assam at the hands of both the Central and State governments, as well as the forthcoming elections to the Tiwa Autonomous Council.
The convention, held at the auditorium of the Morigaon District Library, witnessed the formation of a new regional political party named ‘Tiwa Jatiya Mancha’, with the objective of finding political solutions to the fundamental and national issues confronting the Tiwa community.
At the convention, a 21-member executive committee of the newly formed party was constituted, with Tiwa movement leader Subhen Bordoloi elected as president, student leader Dipak Amsang as general secretary and Rimal Amsi as chief adviser.
The convention was presided over by a presidium comprising ATSU president Prashanta Masrang, Tiwa Yuva-Chhatra Parishad president Krishna Konwar, All Tiwa Women’s Association president Jonali Mithi and Tiwa Cultural Society vice-president Bokind Masrang.
Several prominent Tiwa leaders addressed the gathering in support of various demands, including the inclusion of the Tiwa Autonomous Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and the preparation of an accurate electoral roll, incorporating all Tiwa-inhabited villages, before conducting the council elections.
Meanwhile, leaders of the organisations launched a strong attack on Morigaon MLA Ramakanta Deuri and the ruling BJP government in Assam.
They warned that Tiwa national organisations would unitedly resist any alleged attempt by the State government to amend Section 54 of the Tiwa Autonomous Council Act to pave the way for MLA Ramakanta Deuri to become the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the council.
The leaders further alleged that during his tenure as the Chief Executive Member of the Tiwa Autonomous Council, Ramakanta Deuri had used funds allocated for the construction of a statue of Tiwa national hero Jungal Balahu to build his own farmhouse.
They also announced that the Tiwa organisations would strongly oppose MLA Deuri if he participated in election campaign meetings in any of the council constituencies. The leaders accused him of repeatedly creating instability within the Tiwa Autonomous Council with the political ambition of returning to the post of Chief Executive Member.
According to resolutions adopted at the convention, the gathering expressed strong dissatisfaction over alleged attempts by certain anti-tribal elements to create a Town Committee at Jagiroad. The convention demanded that such alleged conspiracies be abandoned immediately and urged the government to announce the Jagiroad Town Committee only after granting constitutional status to the Tiwa Autonomous Council.
Another resolution welcomed the Assam government’s decision to allocate approximately 6,000 bighas of land in the Nellie area of Morigaon district for the establishment of a Defence Park. However, the convention made it clear that the people currently residing on the proposed land should not, under any circumstances, be settled in protected belt and block areas. It resolved to strongly oppose any attempt to rehabilitate them in such protected areas.
The convention also resolved to oppose any attempt by the Assam government to conduct the forthcoming Tiwa Autonomous Council elections on the basis of an incorrect electoral roll.
Furthermore, the organisations decided to strongly resist any move by the State government to conduct the council elections forcibly witho