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Tribal Issues

Assam

General Secretary of the Koch Rajbongshi National Convention Biswajit Ray created a sensation on Monday by saying that no political party could win Bodoland Territorial Council election by neglecting the community. Ray said that the Koch Rajbongshi community will be a decisive force in the ensuing BTC elections.    Ray said that the Koch Rajbongshi National Convention does not have any motive for their vested interest. Their only motive is to take ahead the struggle of the All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union. Ray added that they will continue their struggle for a separate Kamatapur. He further expressed confidence that the central government would grant Schedule Tribe status to the community before the 2021 state assembly elections. Ray demanded the government to grant Plain Tribes status to the Koch Rajbongshis living in Udalguri and Baksa districts of Bodoland Territorial Region.   Also Read: Assam CM apprises PMO and Union Home Ministry about Assam-Mizoram border situation<a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-cm-apprises-pmo-and-union-home-ministry-about-assam-mizoram-border-situation/">https://www.insidene.com/assam-cm-apprises-pmo-and-union-home-ministry-about-assam-mizoram-border-situation/</a> On the other hand, Ray demanded that Plain Tribes status be granted to the Koch Rajbongshis of the four districts of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts. He lamented that though a bill was passed to grant Schedule Tribes status to the community in the Assam cabinet on September 3rd but it is yet to be amended. He demanded the bill to be amended soon. Ray also demanded to constitute the Koch Rajbongshi Development Council and elect its Chairman from the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District. Biswajit Ray demanded both the state as well as central government to keep their promise of granting Schedule Tribe status to the community before the 2021 assembly elections.  Ray warned that if the Bharatiya Janata Party cheats the Koch Rajbongshi community the way the Congress did in the past then the saffron party will have to face defeat in the 2021 assembly elections.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

BJP will be voted out of power in Assam if they fail to grant ST status to Koch Rajbongshis: Biswajit Ray

The union home ministry has asked the group of ministers (GoM) of the Assam government to prepare the report on granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to six communities of the state within one month. The development came at the meeting held between the union home minister Amit Shah, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and health, finance and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in New Delhi.The demand of six communities for ST status was discussed in the meeting. The home minister instructed to prepare and send the report of the state government’s group of ministers within next one month.Also Read: Sikkim: 7-day complete lockdown imposed in Gangtok<a href="https://www.insidene.com/sikkim-7-day-complete-lockdown-imposed-in-gangtok/">https://www.insidene.com/sikkim-7-day-complete-lockdown-imposed-in-gangtok/</a>Shah also asked the state government to examine the report of the high-level committee on the implementation of the Assam Accord’s clause 6 by legal and constitutional experts.The issues of implementation of the Bodo Peace Accord were also discussed during the meeting.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Shah amit

Amit Shah asks Assam government to submit report on granting ST status

Tripura

The Bru resettlement issue, so far, plagued with growing resentment on the part of some of the local bodies, of late, has raised some serious environmental concerns. Many of the locals felt that if the CCRF forest was encroached—the proposed land to resettle the Brus, there would be a drastic impact of it on the health of river “Deo”.Deo river, which is a tributary of the river Manu with its source located in the Jampui hills, serve as a source of water for not less than thousands of people. It also, sometimes, act as a livelihood opportunity as people were seen doing fishing, firewood collection and so.“The most important aspect of the Bru resettlement issue that is being avoided by all—and to some extent by the media is environmental. In the Kanchanpur subdivision, there are five spots selected for the Bru resettlement that include CCRF, Manu-Chailengta RF, Gachirampara Anandabazar and Mangpui. And the problem lies at the encroachment of CCRF”, said one Susanta Bikas Baruah, a local contractor and the General Secretary of Nagarik Suraksha Mancha.The CCRF(Central Catchment Reserve Forest) is a reserve forest that was grown and preserved to protect the sources of water. The CCRF land was stretched from the Upper side of Anandabazar area up to the foothills of Jampui and it act as a protective layer to the water sources available for the people of Jampui and river Deo.“The core issue”, Barua maintained, “Is that the due to this CCRF, there is water for the people living in the hills. There are lakes, ponds and other natural water sources which never run out of water due to this CCRF. We are fortunate enough to have ample rainfall and almost the sources never dry up. Similarly, being located beside the river source of Deo, the CCRF forest prevent erosion which passively control sedimentation. Despite the Deo river is smaller in length it will certainly come out as the most healthy river of the state if any such survey is carried out. And, the role played by the CCRF in this regard can not be just ignored”.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/brus-resettlement-a-saga-of-conflict-interests-and-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Brus resettlement: A saga of conflict, interests and rights</a>The river “Deo”, plays a crucial role in the lives of local farmers as many farmers use the banks of river Deo as a suitable area for the sustenance of their livelihood. One of the local farmers, Rajesh Das said, “I am cultivating in the river banks since I am young. If the river health depletes unforeseen impact of it will fall on the large sect farmers dependent on farming and the river”.Some of the Mizo leaders also felt that the history of “Bru” refugees had shown us as to how they destructed the resources. “Not less than 9 villages of Kanchanpur Sub-division now has no resources left due to their indiscriminate exploitation. Now, if CCRF is given to them, they will simply ruin the forest cover in the area. And, with this mass deforestation, big environmental issues will surely emerge. They will certenily do shifting cultivation; they will surely start rearing cattle, which are enough to destroy the dense forest cover”, said a Mizo leader.Susanta Barua also said that as of his knowledge the CCRF land if encroached needed permission from the green tribunal and also require same amount of land afforested at the same time. &nbsp;&nbsp;Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Bengali, Mizo groups protest against settlement of Bru migrants in Tripura

Bru resettlement allays fear of mass encroachment of forest land

The Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed three bills to create separate autonomous councils for Moran, Matak and Koch-Rajbongshi communities in the state.The Moran Autonomous Council Bill, 2020, The Matak Autonomous Council Bill, 2020 and The Kamatapur Autonomous Council Bill, 2020 were tabled on March 24, the last day of the Budget Session earlier this year.Though the bills related to Moran and Matak were passed without any objection, the opposition and one member of the BJP objected to the nomenclature of the third one and requested the government to change it to the Koch-Rajbongshi Autonomous Council Bill.Also Read: AKRSU slams Assam government for not granting ST status to Koch Rajbongshi community<a href="https://www.insidene.com/akrsu-slams-assam-government-for-not-granting-st-status-to-koch-rajbongshi-community/">https://www.insidene.com/akrsu-slams-assam-government-for-not-granting-st-status-to-koch-rajbongshi-community/</a>Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal said of 69 lakh Koch-Rajbongshi people living in Assam, only three lakh are in Kamatapur as defined in the bill.The Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia proposed to create a satellite council for the development of the Koch-Rajbongshi population instead of fixed geography.BJP’s Ashwini Ray Sarkar requested the government to change the name to “Kamatapur Koch-Rajbongshi Autonomous Council” and include all the people of the community across the state.Putting forward the government’s view, Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Minister Chandan Brahma said no community should feel threatened because of creation of the Kamatapur Autonomous Council.With the government not accepting the opposition”s demand to change the name of the bill, the Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami put the proposals for voting and subsequently it was defeated in numbers.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Assam assembly passes bills to create three autonomous councils

Bodo leaders living outside Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) on Friday alleged that Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary and BPF leader Chandan Brahma have cheated upon the Bodos residing outside the BTAD areas.In a glittering ceremony at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, over 700 members of the United Bodo Peoples’ Organisation (UBPO). The new members were welcomed to the party by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Health &amp; Family Welfare minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ranjeet Kumar Dass.Also Read: Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Ajmal for using Arabic in public meeting<a href="https://www.insidene.com/himanta-biswa-sarma-slams-ajmal-for-using-arabic-in-public-meeting/">https://www.insidene.com/himanta-biswa-sarma-slams-ajmal-for-using-arabic-in-public-meeting/</a>UBPO president Mihineswar Basumatary alleged that both Mohilary and Brahma dis not want prosperity of the Bodos living outside the BTAD and even opposed inclusion of Sonitpur and Biswanath Chariali in the Bodo Kachari Autonomous Council.Brahma had opposed the council both at the cabinet and in the assembly. Basumatary accused Hagrama and Brahma of doing politics in the name of Bodos living outside the BTAD.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bodos living outside BTAD alleges Hagrama and Chandan Brahma of cheating them

Breaking News

Four Chakma outfit leaders collectively took a dig at the Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga’s letter to Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb over the Bru re-settlement issue and resented the role played by Mizo Convention.In a joint press meet at Kanchanpur, Chakma National Council of India (Tripura State), Tripura Chakma Students Association, Young Chakma Association (Kanchanpur Branch) and Gabusse Jodha India leaders ‘condemned the irresponsible statement’ of the Mizoram Chief Minister.Notably, Zoramthanga wrote a letter to Biplab Kumar Deb urging him to immediately re-consider and cancel the proposal for resettlement of displaced Brus at the traditional habitat of the Mizos – Jampui Hill. He wrote this letter on May 29 last.Chakma leaders alleged, “The Mizoram Govt and Mizo NGOs are responsible for the present miserable condition of the Bru People. Mizoram Govt. had not allowed Bru people to settle in Mizoram and also intentionally disturbing Bru re-settlement in Tripura”.Criticizing Zoramthanga, Chakma leaders said, He refused to take back the Brus and restore their rights in Mizoram – Mizoram has no moral or legal authority to speak on Bru settlement issue in Tripura.<a href="https://www.insidene.com/brus-resettlement-a-saga-of-conflict-interests-and-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Brus resettlement: A saga of conflict, interests and rights</a>“We seek apology from the Chief Minister of Mizoram for his participation in Tripura State matter and for miserable conditions of the Bru people”, leaders said.Chakma leaders also criticized the role of Mizo Convention of Tripura and pointed out a case in recent past involving Chakma people of Kanpui village in Tripura and jawans IR battalion. Chakma leaders alleged that members of YMA and MZP were harassing the innocent Chakma villagers in the village in the name of investigation.“We appeal to the Government of Tripura to take necessary action against the accused extremist supporters of YMA and MZP”, Chakma leaders said.In the press briefing, Udayjyoti Chakma, state general secretary of Chakma National Council of India, Sadhan Chakma, general secretary of Tripura Chakma Student Association, Hilton Chakma, state general secretary of Gabusse Jodha India. Rang Khay Chakma, Young Chakma Association, Kanchanpur were present.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Chakma bodies

Tripura: Chakma bodies resent Mizo convention over Brus

The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has demanded proper implementation of all clauses of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) accord as per the strong spirit of the third Bodo Peace Accord including renaming of Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) as Bodoland Territorial Region comprising area covered under BTAD.A 11 member team of the ABSU led by it's president Dipen Boro today met Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal at Dispur and submitted a memorandum seeking proper implementation of all clauses of the historic BTR accord with letter and spirit to meet healthy development and welfare in the region.The students’ union had a healthy discussion in connection to the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS)  signed on 27th January this year with Government of India, Government of  Assam and Bodoland Movement groups.Also Read: Assam police to take strict measures to curb illegal arms menace in BTAD<a href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-police-to-take-strict-measures-to-curb-illegal-arms-menace-in-btad/">https://www.insidene.com/assam-police-to-take-strict-measures-to-curb-illegal-arms-menace-in-btad/</a>The delegation team placed a demand for constituting a Commission as under Paragraph 14 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, renaming of Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) shall be renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region comprising area covered under BTAD. Setting up a Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council (Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council), rehabilitation of the NDFB members and withdrawal of heinous and non heinous crimes by the Government of Assam. Financial Compensation to each of next of kin of persons who lost their lives in agitations for a separate state.The delegation demanded inclusion of the Bodo-Kacharis living in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Districts in the ST (Hill) list of Assam in a time bound manner, budget provisions for state related institutions of the BTR Accord and amendment of the Assam Official Language Act, 1960 and include Bodo as one of the associate official language.Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has assured proper implementation of the BTR accord with necessary measures.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

ABSU delegation meets Assam CM; demands proper implementation of BTR Accord

The All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union (AKRSU) slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government at centre and state for not granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Koch Rajbongshi community and reconstruction of Kamatapur state within Indian constitution.AKRSU president Arun Roy on Tuesday strongly flayed the BJP led state government for failing to grant ST status to the Koch Rajbongshi community. He added that the BJP party never work for welfare and development of the Koch Rajbongshi community in the state for which the people of the community are being deprived &nbsp;of their rights and development."Accord ST status before 2021 Assembly to the Koch Rajbongshi community or face a intensive movement in the state,” warned Roy.Roy accused the BJP of failing to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Koch Rajbongshi community as being promised before the 2014 general elections."Koch Rajbongshis are not vote banks of the political parties and this time the community will teach a lesson to the BJP by taking anti BJP stand in the days to come,” Roy said.As the State assembly election is due next year, the AKRSU has started mounting pressure on the BJP-led government at the Centre and State to create separate state of Kamatapur before the assembly election 2021. The AKRSU has resolved to reiterate its demand for creation of Kamatapur state as well as granting ST status to the Rajbongshi community.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

AKRSU slams Assam government for not granting ST status to Koch Rajbongshi community

AKRSU slams Assam government for  not granting ST status to Koch Rajbongshi community

The latest comments made by TIPRA Chief Pradyot Manikya has exacerbated the row between Tripura and Mizoram over the Bru resettlement issue. Reang (aka Bru in Mizoram) is one of the 21 scheduled tribes of the Indian state of Tripura. The Brus can be found all over Tripura state in India. They speak the Reang dialect of Kokborok language which is of Tibeto-Burmese origin and is locally referred to as Kau Bru.In 2018, following the Union Home Ministry's decision to give voting rights to around 30,000 people who had fled from Mizoram to Tripura in 1997 in the wake of inter-community violence, the Election Commission asked the State of Mizoram to revise its rolls for the 2018 polls and include the members of the internally-displaced community. As many as 32,876 people of the Reang tribe were set to be repatriated to Mizoram after a tripartite agreement was signed between the Centre, Tripura, and Mizoram. On 16 January 2020, a quadripartite agreement was signed among the Centre, state governments of Tripura, and Mizoram and Bru-Reang representatives to facilitate the permanent settlement of Bru refugees from Mizoram in Tripura, benefitting around 34,000 refugees.<h2>Recent Developments</h2>The aforementioned rehabilitation of the Bru Reang re-settlement in Tripura has upset Mizo organizations, which has even led to Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga writing a letter to Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb requesting the latter to reconsider the decision. The point of contention is the resettlement of the Brus near the traditional habitat of Mizos in Jumpui and the surrounding areas under Kanchanpur Sub-Division in North Tripura.The Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, responded by stating that “the Bru settlement was a long pending issue and finally it came to an end under the leadership of Modi ji. They will be resettled in the state very soon. The state government will decide the place of their settlement”.The Mizoram CM also raised concerns of ethnic tension as a fallout of the issue. “As you are no doubt aware, there has been ethnic tension and upheaval between Mizos and Brus, both in Mizoram and Tripura and any strain between the two communities in Tripura will no doubt have repercussions in Mizoram and vice versa, which could defeat the very purpose and spirit of the Agreement signed between representatives of the Bru community, Chairman TIPRA, Chief Secretary of Tripura, Chief Secretary of Mizoram, Joint Secretary (Ministry of Home Affairs) on 16.1.2020”, said Zoramthanga.He again stated, "re-consideration and cancellation of the proposed resettlement of displaced Brus amidst Mizo traditional settlers of Zampui hill area and arrangement of other appropriate locations is inevitable if the historic Agreement signed on 16.1.2020 is to be successfully implemented in letter and spirit”.<h2>A brief glance at the past</h2>As per Director, Rights &amp; Risks Analysis Group, Subhas Chakma's post, the Maharajas of Tripura dug Dighis (big ponds/lakes) all over the place ranging from present-day Tripura to "Dighinala" (present-day Chittagong Hills Tracts) or Comilla (Bangladesh). Rengdil lake in the Mamit district was dug as part of the tradition followed by Tripura Kings to provide access to water to the people. Now the Mizos attempt to halt Bru rehabilitation has been countered by the Tripuris on this logic that Kumarghat, Manu has historically not been a part of the former claim. The Mizos have been opposing resettlement in these areas. <a href="https://www.insidene.com/voice-of-mizos-should-be-heard-mizoram-cm-on-bru-resettlement-in-tripura/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: ‘Voice of Mizos should be heard’: Mizoram CM on Bru resettlement in Tripura</a><h2>The contemporary issue</h2>What started out as a rehabilitation problem has turned into a full blown border dispute. It has brought out the lack of demarcated borders in the Northeastern States to the forefront, which has also led to other states such as Nagaland and Assam to spar on border problems. On the issue of the claim of the land, Pradyot Manikya, who is from the same Royal lineage, replied, "regarding whether Kumarghat, Hawai Bari, Kailashahar, Manu River, Jampui Hills belongs to Tripura or not, I suggest the Govt of Tripura and not me should answer this to those raising the question".<h2>Course of action</h2>The conflict of interest has arisen not just between Mizos and Tripuris but the indigenous people as well. These people who stay in the CCRF areas of north Tripura now have opposed the resettlement of Brus altogether. The issue has highlighted the internal contradictions of the Northeast and the multifaceted challenges it poses. Much will depend on how each of the stakeholders react to the fallout.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us <a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>. Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Bru resettlement reopens old faultlines between Tripura and Mizoram

The Bru resettlement process has once again been marred by serious protests and confrontations between several local communities, who fear that the process would disturb local ecology.The Brus fled from Mizoram and took shelter in Tripura’s six relief camps based in Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-division of North Tripura district. After 23 long years, the issue was resolved after a quadripartite meeting presided over by Home Minister Amit Shah, who gave the official nod to resettle them in Tripura as its citizens. Since then, the story has taken an interesting turn. Some of the community leaders have pointed out that the Bru resettlement will further escalate communal cracks in the future, given the historical backdrop. However, the Brus are still harping on the commitments made by the Tripura government.A census on the Brus is under process and soon the exact number of refugees still in relief camps will be figured out.<h2>The current wave</h2>Since the last few days, the resettlement process has once again evoked interest after Mizoram Chief Minister, in a letter to the Chief Minister of Tripura, asked him to consider the pleas made by local Mizos. But this was countered with strong arguments from his Tripura counterpart. Though the spell of protests which had spilled over North Tripura and some of the proposed locations, witnessed a stalemate due to COVID 19, there is still a palpable sense of tension simmering around the subject of the Bru resettlement. In Kanchanpura, Mizo convention and Nagarik Suraksha Mancha came under the same umbrella and protested the government’s decision to allow encroaching of the Central Catchment Reserve Forest (CCRF) land which falls in the vicinity of the Mizo settlement.<h2>What the Brus say</h2><a href="https://www.insidene.com/bru-resettlement-reopens-old-faultlines-between-tripura-and-mizoram/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Also read: Bru resettlement reopens old faultlines between Tripura and Mizoram</a><h2>What the Mizos say</h2> Mizos living in the Jampui hills are always seen as a dominating power in the peripheries due to their sophisticated lifestyle and philanthropic activities. Thus Mizo convention has grown up as a deciding factor in the Jampui hills which have intensely gone against the resettlement of Brus.He rather pointed out that the settlement of Brus should be done in areas located close to towns for a better economic perspective of the Brus. “It's also better economically for our Mizoram Bru brethren to be rehabilitated in places closer to major national highways, towns, and at other vast empty lands where farming can be practiced in a more sustainable and productive way. And it's good for both communities to maintain a healthy distance from each other. We both need it to help each other better. This will prevent flaring up of communal issues from the slightest of misunderstandings and ensure 1997-like ugly incident never happen again!”, a long article written by Dr Pichau reads.<h2> The Nagarik Suraksha Mancha movement began when the miscreants suspected to be from the Bru relief camps lashed out a series of violent attacks in the Kanchanpur region during the Anti-CAA protests. The local Bengali community people come under one organization and pleaded the government to expedite the repatriation process at the earliest who feared communal clashes might have been broken out between Bengalis and Brus.<h2>What Tripura’s other indigenous tribes say</h2>By and large, there are no hard-hitting comments coming from the local community leaders but there is a palpable undercurrent. “In some areas of North and Khoai district the local tribals have set up makeshift huts in the forest land they have been entitled to carry out cultivation through Patta(lease). The development came right after, some of the spots proposed for Bru settlement had been visited. The attitude showed as to how the locals are indifferent to the Brus,” a higher official in the condition of anonymity had said.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, click <a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.

Brus resettlement: A saga of conflict, interests and rights

Bodoland People's Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary has said that COVID-19 pandemic cannot be a valid factor for delaying Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election.Mohilary, who was also former chief of BTC while attending a party meeting held at Ultapani along the Indo-Bhutan border area in Kokrajhar district today urged chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state government to conduct the council elections within 27th October in the council to pave the way for good governance. Also Read: Act of Kindness Society announces Magnum Opus VI to promote young talents<a href="https://www.insidene.com/act-of-kindness-society-announces-magnum-opus-vi-to-promote-young-talents/">https://www.insidene.com/act-of-kindness-society-announces-magnum-opus-vi-to-promote-young-talents/</a>Mohilary has emphasized to end the ongoing Governor's Rule and  also urged CM Sonowal not to extend Governor's rule in Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD). He said that due to imposition of Governor's Rule in BTC all kinds of development and welfare activities have been stopped in the council region and common masses are deprived from welfare aspects.He assured more developmental steps to be initiated among sections of the communities if voted to power in the council elections.He appealed to all sections of the society to vote in favour of BPF in the council elections.He has assured for all round development for the citizens in the region if voted to power.Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possibleTo support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/subscription/">HERE</a>.Download:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Inside Northeast app&nbsp;<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en">HERE</a>&nbsp;for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.Do&nbsp;<a href="https://insidene.com/">keep following us</a>&nbsp;for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

COVID-19 cannot be factor of delaying BTC council elections: Hagrama Mohilary

AGARTALA: Samir Jamatia, a 36-year-old bamboo technologist from Garjee village in Udaipur's Gomati district of <a href="https://www.insidene.com/category/tripura/">Tripura</a> has exported 600 kg bamboo leaf tea to Europe through a Delhi-based exporter amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Samir was supported by Nanjing University, where he obtained a diploma in bamboo technology and spent nearly a year learning more about the subject.He returned to India since the Northeast is home to up to 90 different types of bamboo, and he believed he could perform better in his homeland.ALSO READ: <a class="post-url" title="Cyclone ‘Yaas’ may affect Assam and 2 other northeastern states today" href="https://www.insidene.com/cyclone-yaas-may-affect-assam-and-2-other-northeastern-states-today/">Cyclone ‘Yaas’ may affect Assam and 2 other northeastern states today</a>He studied the procedure of making the mentioned drink in great detail. According to Jamatia, this drink is high in anti-oxidants and anti-biotics.He said bamboo leaf tea is popular not only in <a href="https://www.insidene.com/tag/china/">China</a> and other South Asian neighbouring nations but also in Ghana and Europe.Despite the enormous potential of establishing a large-scale bamboo leaf tea processing unit in India's Himalayan states, it has received little attention at the policy level, he added.Samir tried to set up units in Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram before starting his little business here.According to Samir, bamboo in the northeast is naturally wild and does not require fertiliser, which is what attracts overseas purchasers.ALSO READ: <a class="post-url" title="Assam police nabbed 4 wanted drug peddler in Tinsukia" href="https://www.insidene.com/assam-police-nabbed-4-wanted-drug-peddler-in-tinsukia/">Assam police nabbed 4 wanted drug peddler in Tinsukia</a>To produce tea leaves, they take the mature leaves from the bottom of the bamboo and dry them in a specific arrangement.Antioxidants, antibiotics, and anticancer medicines abound in bamboo leaves, researchers have said. Bamboo leaf tea also offers many other health benefits, including protecting hair, skin, and teeth, as well as strengthening bones and teeth, said Samir.Support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism:<a href="https://www.insidene.com/subscription/">Support us</a><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.insidenortheast.app&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Follow us</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> on Facebook</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

'Bamboo leaf tea'

Tripura entrepreneur, Samir Jamatia exports 600 kg 'Bamboo leaf tea' to Europe

Meghalaya

National

Guwahati: Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma who recently joined the Trinamool Congress stated that he along with the other MLA joining the TMC is a ‘trendsetter’.He claimed that after them, the entire Meghalaya will soon follow the Trinamool Congress.Sangma added that the MLAs joined the TMC only because of Mamata Banerjee who he claimed to be the only face who is credible nationally.He also stated that soon Meghalaya will be covered by TMC flags and the people of the state want an alternative.It may be mentioned that after 12 MLAs from Congress shifted to the Trinamool Congress in Meghalaya, TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee named former Congress Leader Charles Pyngrope as the new State President of the All India Trinamool Congress in Meghalaya.12 of the 17 Congress MLAs including former Chief Minister and Congress Legislator Party Leader Mukul Sangma joined the Trinamool Congress.Over the past days, there have been reports claiming that Mukul Sangma would soon join the BJP but the recent development of him joining the TMC has come as a massive political turn of events. Mukul Sangma had claimed that he would not quit the Congress but the report of him shifting from the party has come as shock for the party and its members in the state as well as the Country.TMC supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee earlier hinted that there will be major political development in the Northeast and the TMC would now focus on expanding to the Northeast states,

Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma who recently joined the Trinamool Congress stated that he along with the other MLA joining the TMC is a ‘trendsetter’.

Trendsetter

Joining Trinamool Congress is a Trendsetter: Mukul Sangma

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Don't see possibility of alliance between IPFT & TIPRA, says Pradyot Manikya