NEW DELHI, June 27 ? The NDA Government?s disapproval of the demand for creation of an autonomous State of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills has triggered fresh bout of war of words between Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and CPI-ML leadership. Reacting to Union Home Minister, L K Advani?s clarification of NDA?s stand on the issue, Dharam Singh Teron MLA and publicity secretary of ASDC described it as nothing new. The Centre and State Government irrespective of party colours, have always maintained an utterly dismissive attitude towards the Karbi-Dimasa demand for implementing Article 244 A, necessiating the continuation of the movement for long sixteen years.
Mounting a direct attack on CPI-ML leader, Dr Jayanta Rongpi, the ASDC charged that ?the architect of failed MoU signed in April 1995, who as the only revolutionary MP and privy to the Home Consultative Committee meeting in his four year tenure has chosen to come up with the revelation only now.? On the other hand, in a signed statement Dr Rongpi today, reiterated that Union Home Minister has emphasized that Centre was not in favour of granting autonomous status to the concerned area. When local news paper reported that ASDC leaders like Holiram Terang and Dhorom Singh Teron claimed that discussion on autonomy had started, Sri Advani clarified that no discussion was held with any organisation as appeared in the media.
The Union Home Minister?s categorical assertion is likely to land the ASDC into an embarrassing situation given its close ties with BJP and NDA allies. The situation is likely to be fully exploited by Dr Rongpi to score political points over his erstwhie colleagues. The ASDC, meanwhile, said it would like to remind the NDA Government, BJP and the Congress regime in the State to stop playing with the aspirations of the Karbi-Dimasa people. ?We are not asking for the moon but implementation of Article 244 A. a constitutional provision. The delay in implementing the provisions of Article 244 A will only create more turbulences, uncertainities and violence which the neglected people of the North-East has had enough, the ASDC cautioned.
The Union Home Minister, yesterday, at the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting attached to his MInistry said that while Government of India is committed to the all-round development of the areas of the autonomous councils, the Governemnt is not in favour of creating an autonomous State within the State of Assam. As for transfer of departments to the two autonomous council as agreed according to the terms of the MoU, 28 out of 30 departments have been already transfered. Only two departments including Transport and Sales Tax have not been transfered as yet due to legal problems, the Parliamentary Consultative Committee was told.
The State Government has been advised to sort out the problem in consultations with the Autonomous Councils. Besides the official representatives of the Autonomous Councils are now being included in the delegation visiting Delhi for plan discussions with the Planning Commission, the Home Minister further said. Meanwhile, in what can be described as a positive development, inclusion of the Chief Executive member of the two Councils as members of the North Eastern Council (NEC) is being considered by the Centre. The Department for Development of North Eastern Region is handling the issue.