Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assured to appoint an interlocutor to fulfill the long-standing demand of three tribal communities in Assam for constitutional recognition of their autonomous councils.
The announcement came after Shah met with a delegation of the Rabha, Mising, and Tiwa communities in New Delhi, which was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state Cabinet Minister Ranoj Pegu.
The move is being seen as a significant step towards fulfilling the constitutional aspirations of these tribal groups.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the decision and thanked the Union Home Minister, calling the assurance “very reassuring and heartwarming.” In a social media post, Sarma said that Shah’s commitment to appointing an interlocutor and initiating an institutional dialogue reflects the Centre’s approach to inclusive governance and engagement with tribal communities.
Sarma wrote, “I sincerely thank Union Home Minister Amit Shah for meeting the delegation of the Rabha, Mising, and Tiwa communities, who have long been demanding constitutional status for their respective autonomous councils.”
He further said that the proposed dialogue will help protect the constitutional rights and aspirations of the indigenous people of Assam.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a separate post, said that he has listened to the concerns of the community representatives and assured them that their demands will be addressed. Shah said, “The Home Ministry will soon appoint a senior officer to work towards an amicable and lasting solution.”
The Rabha Hasong, Mising, and Tiwa Autonomous Councils have long been demanding constitutional recognition.
Currently, they function as legal entities created by the Assam government to assist in the social, economic, educational, cultural, and ethnic development of Scheduled Tribe communities in core and periphery areas in several districts.
