The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has extended its solidarity with the Mising tribe in Assam in securing the Sixth Schedule status under the Constitution during the Mising Youth Festival held at Gogamukh, Dhemaji in Assam.
The KSU was represented by general secretary Donald V Thabah, Iashan Borlang Mukhim and Badonkupar Nongbri, both assistant organising secretary of the union.
Speaking at the event, Thabah said all tribals in the region are insecure about their land, livelihood and jobs and hence there are demands to secure and safeguard the present and the future generations.
“We are considered backward and we are overwhelmed by the majority community. We fear that our land will be snatched away, our livelihood and jobs be taken away by advanced communities. Therefore in our State we have been demanding implementation of the ILP, recognition of our language in the Eight Schedule and special provision under Article 371A just like in Nagaland,” he said.
Lauding the efforts put in by the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) or All Mising Students’ Union in demanding Sixth Schedule status for the tribe, he said, “We extend our support and solidarity to the Mising community in your demand to get your land and territories included in the ambit of the Sixth Schedule.”
Currently, the Mising community is governed by the Mising Autonomous Council under the State Act.
The four-day festival was held to commemorate the golden jubilee of the TMPK and to bring the Mising youth under one platform.
About 90000 members of the Mising community from Dhemaji, Jonai, Pasighat, Sivasagar, and Dibrugarh attended the festival.
The festival was also attended by important personalities such as Sonam Wangchuk, a reformist, educationist and earth architecture innovator; Ranoj Pegu, Assam minister in charge of Education, leaders of All Assam Tribal Sangha, All Manipur Students’ Union, Twipra Students’ Federation, Garo Students’ Union, All Dimasa Students’ Union, Karbi Students’ Association and NESO Advisor Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharya.
