Kamrup: The Rabha Joint Forum’s Kamrup district committee held a press conference on Tuesday at the Tourist Bungalow in Boko to address concerns over the recent sanction for establishing a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Assam’s Kamrup District.
On June 2nd, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on social media platform X that the Indian government had sanctioned the new IIM, to be located in Marabhita village near Guwahati.
This development positions Guwahati among an elite group of Indian cities hosting premier educational institutions. The new IIM will be mentored by IIM Ahmedabad and will eventually occupy a 76.8332-hectare plot in Marabhita. Further actions will follow a detailed project report prepared in consultation with the Higher Education Department and the Assam government.
Chief Minister Sarma visited the site along with Palashbari Constituency MLA Hemanga Thakuria and other officials. However, the Rabha Joint Forum expressed concerns during a press conference led by Kamrup District President and Executive Member of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) Sumit Rabha, along with secretary Arjun Chetry, and other leaders including Dilip Rabha and Niven Rabha.
The Rabha Joint Forum criticised the decision to set up the IIM in Marabhita, a tribal belt and block area, accusing the government of violating tribal regulations. The Forum stated that the RHAC was not informed about the preparations to establish the IIM.
“We welcome IIMs and IITs in tribal belt land, but it must adhere to the rules of the tribal belt and block,” the Rabha Joint Forum said, alleging that MLA Hemanga Thakuria was part of a conspiracy. They called on the government and RHAC chief Tankeswar Rabha to take appropriate action.
The All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU) Bholagaon-Borduar committee also reacted, suggesting that the state government might be bargaining lands with their demands for the Sixth Schedule. “We are not opposing the establishment of the IIM. However, if the state government does not discuss the matter with Rabha organizations, we are ready to go to the Supreme Court,” ARSU stated.
During a media interaction following the site visit, Chief Minister Sarma assured that the government would discuss the matter with the RHAC and adhere to the demanded rules and regulations.
“We will obey the rules and regulations. A new alternate road will be constructed to the IIM complex, which will be established in Dighalkuchi and Marabhita village, ensuring that the villagers do not suffer,” Sarma said.
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