Boko: The Boko Regional Unit of the All Rabha Students Union (ARSU), along with the Rabha Women Council and the Six Schedule Demand Committee, held a village meeting at Turukpara in Boko on Tuesday.
Prominent attendees included ARSU Vice-President Pradeep Rabha, Magazine Secretary Sanjeev Rabha, RHAC Executive Member Sumit Rabha, Kamrup District ARSU President Anand Rabha, Organizing Secretary Ankur K. Rabha, and Vice-President Nomal Rabha. The meeting was presided over by Boko ARSU President Sujit Rabha and General Secretary Dibya Rabha.
Kamrup District ARSU Vice-President Nomal Rabha stated that the Assam government has already submitted a proposal to the central government for the inclusion of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. A delegation from the Rabha Hasong Joint Movement Committee (RHJMC) is set to visit Delhi on October 28-29 to push for the inclusion and will also host a national seminar on the issue.
ARSU Central Committee Vice-President Pradeep Rabha recounted the struggles leading to the establishment of the RHAC, highlighting that 24 people were martyred in the movement. Though the RHAC elections were held and a representative council was formed, the fight for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule continues to ensure the Rabha community’s comprehensive development.
Rabha accused the BJP of betraying the Rabha people’s trust after coming to power. He cited the dissolution of RHAC areas in Kamrup district through ASCARDA and a conspiracy to incorporate Rabha-dominated areas in Goalpara into the proposed state of Kamatapur.
Rabha stressed that political and organizational unity is crucial for the RHAC’s future. With upcoming Panchayat, RHAC, and Assembly elections, he warned the government might attempt to deceive the Rabha people with false promises. However, if all ethnic groups in the RHAC unite with the Rabha community, the council’s foundation will strengthen across the elections, increasing their chances of securing Sixth Schedule inclusion.
He also raised concerns about attempts to undermine the RHAC, particularly questioning the Bodo community’s allegiance within the council area. Following the 2020 Bodo Territorial Region (BTR) accord, the Bodo-Kachari Welfare Development Council was created for Bodo people outside the BTR. He accused the state government of trying to divide the RHAC by raising such questions.
In response, Rabha emphasized that Rabhas and Boros have long coexisted peacefully, urging against any conspiracy to disrupt the harmony and stability of the RHAC. “We are people from various communities living together in the RHAC area peacefully,” he concluded.
Also Read: Manipur: 2 Meitei youths rescued in exchange for 11 Kuki-Zo prisoners