Autonomous state in Assam: Group questions Rijiju’s reply

Diphu, Jan. 7 (EMN): A group called the Hills Progressive Youth Association (HPYA) has criticized a reported statement of Union Home minister for state Kiran Rijiju over the question of creating autonomous states in Assam. In the press release issued on Jan. 7 by the HPYA, the group referred to a reported reply given by Rijiju to a question raised by Biwajit Daimary, Rajya Sabha member, regarding constitutional provisions under Article 244 (A) for creation of an autonomous state within Assam. The HPYA has criticized the statement of Rijiju by saying that ‘creation of state in Assam has no agenda with the central government.’ The HPYA requested the union government to ‘withdraw’ the reply of Rijiju and ‘review’ the matter. The organisation urged Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Health and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also to ‘make clear their stand’ to the people of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao on the issue of an autonomous state. The group has appealed to the government and social organisations of Assam not to ‘play anti-hill people’s sentiment’ and urged students and youths of the three hill districts of the state to maintain peace. The press release was issued by the group’s president Enjoy Tisso and Publicity Secretary Mindar Teron.