Tripartite talks over granting autonomy to Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao held in Delhi

The Union Home Ministry held talks with representatives of the Government of Assam and the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous States (JACAS) recently over demands for granting Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Autonomous State status under Article 244A of the Constitution.

The dialogue was chaired by the Joint Secretary, North East, Shambhu Singh, and the state government was represented by its Home Commissioner Mukti Gogoi.

JACAS Chief Convener Bijoy Teron expressed his satisfaction over the outcome of the talks, but cautioned that they have no intention of calling off their agitation.

Advisor, JACAS, J I Kather described the dialogue as positive.

"The discussion was positive and we have been asked and we agreed that the JACAS will make a detailed report of our demands and will submit it to the government in the next meeting," he said.

On September 3, the centre held talks with two Koch-Rajbongshi groups on their demand for a separate state of Kamatapur.

Talks were also held with the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) on September 4 and the Bodo peoples' Front on September 5 to discuss their demand for a separate state of Bodoland.

President of ABSU Promod Biru said: "We are very happy because the matter of statehood demand has been taken in the discussion. The representatives of government of India gave us a patient hearing. The matter will be studied and in the next round of talks to be held in October, it will be elaborated. We are very hopeful because it is in the positive direction."

In the past few months, several groups have intensified their demands for the creation of separate states by launching a series of strikes in Assam.

The government is taking all possible steps to reach an amicable solution with all the concerned parties agitating for separate states.