Ceasefire groups in influx fight

Platform on the cards

AASU members take out a rally for the deportation of illegal migrants from Bangladesh in Guwahati. File picture Guwahati, March 7 : Several ceasefire groups have joined hands with civil organisations to consider floating a “common platform” that will fight the threat posed to Assam by influx from Bangladesh. In a closed-door meeting held here yesterday and today, the groups stressed the need to resolve internal differences within indigenous communities before tackling the problem head-on. The pro-talks Ulfa faction, the Dima Halam Daogah (Nunisa), the Birsa Commando Force and Adivasi Cobra Military are part of the ceasefire group. The civilian groups included the Asam Satra Mahasabha, the Assam Tea Tribes Students Association and the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam. Though no resolution has been adopted yet, the groups are trying to come out with a common manifesto to check the growing threat from influx. Birsa Commando Force’s commander-in-chief Birsing Munda told The Telegraph today that around 40 representatives from ceasefire and civilian groups sat for two hours yesterday to chalk out strategies to combat the influx problem. Assam Tea Tribes Students Association general secretary Pallav Lochan Das said the next meeting would be important. Ulfa’s pro-talks leader Mrinal Hazarika, DHD chairman Dilip Nunisa, Adivasi Cobra Military chairman Xabrias Xaxa were among those present at yesterday’s conclave. “It was a face-to-face discussion yesterday and today. The first discussion was held on February 26 and we will be holding our next meeting 10 to 15 days later. Almost everyone realises the threat from this influx and the need to come together at the earliest by sorting out our internal differences. The representative of the Satra Mahasabha observed that these differences are becoming bigger, sharper and with communal undertones. These need to be checked and here the Assamese middle-class has to play a proactive role. A common manifesto is very much on the cards,” Munda said. At the meeting, Munda and Xaxa stressed the need to ameliorate the problems of the Adivasi community, especially their struggle for the Scheduled Tribe status. Explaining the rationale behind their demand, Munda said despite being a part and parcel of Assam, the community, which includes the tea tribes, are still not considered Assamese in letter and spirit. “Our problems should also be addressed. More importantly, we are the worst sufferers because our land is being grabbed by these infiltrators. We have requested that our Scheduled Tribe demand be included in the common manifesto so that we can openly come out against the Bangladeshi problem. More or less, the other groups appear to have appreciated our concerns and demand,” Munda added.