By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net
Guwahati: All BTC Minority Students Union (ABMSU) on Thursday staged demonstration seeking intervention of Assam governor PB Acharya in fulfilling several demands including rehabilitation of people who suffered during the 2012 violence in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
Slamming the government, the ABMSU raised the issue of the victims of violence in 2012 in BTAD. “The then UPA government had declared that houses under Indira Awas Yojana scheme would be provided to the victims of the violence. But we regretfully inform you that none of the victim families have got the promised houses till today,” said ABMSU general secretary Lafiqul Islam Ahmed.
The BTAD violence witnessed death of around 100 people and displacement of more than four lakh.
The ABMSU said that the families of the victims are still living in poor condition after losing their relatives and properties.
Among others, they have also raised the issue of ‘harassment’ of Indian citizens in the name of searching for ‘doubtful citizens’.
“It has posed to be a major worry for the Muslims in the state. Though more than 90 percent of the people have proved their nationality as Indian through legal procedure, the police and state government continue to harass the poor people,” said Islam.
The students’ body also appealed the governor to take some steps in fastening the trial process. “The trial processes of doubtful citizens which are going on in different courts of the state are very slow. So, we request the governor to expedite the trial process and grant them the rights to vote and constitutional rights,” he said.
On the uplift of education scenario in BTAD, the students’ body has urged for employment of qualified teachers.
“Among other problems, the lack of proper facilities and infrastructure, the students of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) have been suffering a lot. We are seeking intervention of governor in developing our plight,” Islam said.
He said that the area is already backward. “With a view to fulfil the need of quality teachers, the council had conducted special teachers’ eligibility test in 2012. But instead of appointing the qualified teachers, the authorities have appointed some contract-based teachers. On top of that, their remunerations were also not paid. This is pretty unfortunate which makes the future of the students’ uncertain,” Islam added.
The pass percentage of the districts in BTAD has been poor over the last several years of matriculation exams. Chirang district of BTAD was placed at the bottom with pass percentage of 29.85 during this year’s High School Leaving Certificate exam.