According to the Constitution of India, non-tribal people are not eligible for the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Member of Autonomous Council election.
It is clearly stated in paragraph 20 of the sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Now, a Karbi Anglong local named Pranjal Kro has filed a case against Bokajan MAC Constituency Madhurja Dhekial Phukan in the judicial Court of Diphu for allegedly breaking the law.
“The sixth schedule should be followed because this is a ‘scheduled area’ and we demand that elections also should take place as per sixth schedule laws. Karbi Anglong is a scheduled tribal area and the term ‘tribal area’ is sufficient to cover the whole thing that it is only for tribal people,” said Kro.
Also Read: Manipur Plans to Legalise Cannabis for Medicinal and Industrial Purpose
He added that only the tribal people should have rights on the jobs, land or anything else. Sixth schedule will be meaningless if tribals don’t have rights over their own area. “We are not talking about MLA or MP elections but the district autonomous council should be only for the tribal people. That is why we fought for the case and submitted all the documents,” he further added.
After the complaint, the Court had summoned MAC Madhurja Dhekial Phukan sixteen times for the court's hearing on this case, however, a Judgement could not be pronounced as he did not attend the hearing.
The next hearing is set to take place on October 12.
Support Inside Northeast, an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.
Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.
To support our brand of fearless investigative journalism, support us HERE.
Download:
The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.
Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast
Copyright©2024 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today