Adivasis armed with bow and arrows shout slogans during the Adivasi Mass Rally at Bokajan, Assam on Wednesday. (Morung Photo)
K. Filip Sumi
Bokajan | June 5
Even as an uneasy calm prevailed along the Assam-Nagaland border arising out of the May 23 Mariani incident which worsened with the killing of one worker on June 2 at Naganijan, the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA), Karbi Anglong District Committee (KADC) has decided to impose an indefinite economic blockade against Nagaland from 5am of Thursday.
Addressing the Adivasi Mass Rally at Bokajan on Wednesday, President of AASAA KADC, Anil Toppo said the blockade would be enforced along the NH 36 Dokmoka and NH 39 Bokajan, till the border issue is resolved. Condemning the “violent acts” of Nagas at Naganijan resulting in the death of one Sanjay Bhumji, the AASAA demanded justice. AASAA has appealed for all frontal Naga organizations to intensify work towards maintaining peace. The president said that there was a serious need for organizations of both sides to sit and discuss to resolve the border issue.
The AASAA also issued a handout strongly condemning the land grabbing process initiated allegedly by “S.K. Sanjar Shiekh and Sonwal Shiekh, NSCN agent of Dimapur under the protection of corrupt Additional SP, Bulin Deori at Lahorijan.” The Adivasi people condemned the act of the Shiekh brothers and the FIR lodged by them against AASAA KADC president, Anil Toppo, to divert the land issue. “The allegation that Toppo has demanded Rs 20 Lakh from them is totally false, baseless and fabricated,” the handout stated adding that it was done purely with the motive of paralyzing the Adivasi land right movement. The Adivasis alleged that the Shiekh brothers were indulging in such acts with police support. “It is none but Deori who has instigated the two brothers to lodge FIR against AASAA leaders and workers,” the AASAA alleged and demanded Deori’s immediate suspension.
After taking out a procession by hundreds of Adivasis starting from CCI Playground to SDO (C) Office Bokajan, a 14-point memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister and Governor of Assam, and Chief Executive Member, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council through the SDO (C).
One of the demands included immediate eviction of “encroachers Sanjay Shiekh and Sonwal Shiekh of Dimapur” and other doubtful citizens who have been constructing houses after cutting tea plants.
People participating in the rally held placards some of which read, ‘Stop Adivasi land grabbing,’ ‘No land patta, no rest,’ ‘We demand designated camp for AANLA’ etc.
The memorandum contained various demands of the Adivasi people such as Scheduled Tribe status, permanent land patta, stopping Adivasi land grabbing and encroachment, setting up of AANLA designated camp and initiating peace process with the outfit for solution to Adivasi problems, creation of Adivasi Development Council, setting up of ARO Office at Bokajan, enactment of laws for protection of Adivasi people and land etc.
Further, the AASAA demanded that Rs 5 Crore be given to the Adivasis of Karbi Anglong by the Tea and Ex-Tea Garden Tribes Welfare Directorate for the year 2013-14. AASAA made a strong demand that the Adivasi land which was encroached and grabbed be immediately freed.
It also demanded that official talks be held between AASAA, Government of Assam and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council for an amicable solution to burning issues and problems concerning the Adivasi people.
AASAA said that it would carry out its agitation programme if its demands were not met. The chalked out agitation programme includes a road blockade on June 17, dharna at ARO/ASO Office Diphu, Phuloni and Silonijan on July 10 and 48 hours Karbi Anglong bandh on July 16.
After receiving the memorandum, SDO (C) Bokajan, P.B. Chetri said he would forward the demands of the AASAA to the Government of Assam.
