Gorkhas to get autonomous council in Assam

The other six ethnic groups,which would soon have an autonomous council of their own,are Ahom,Matak,Moran,Koch-Rajbangshi,Chutiya,Adivasi and Gorkha.

“Six new development councils for Ahoms,Mataks,Morans,Koch-Rajbangshis,Chutiyas and Adivasis are being set up,and an additional one for Gorkhas will be set up,” the Governor said during the course of his eight-page speech in the Republic Day function here.

Assam already has autonomous councils for six Scheduled tribe communities — Tiwa,Rabha,Mishing,Sonowal-Kachari,Thengal-Kachari and Deuri — in addition to two autonomous district councils and a separate autonomous council comprising four districts for the Bodo tribe.

While the two district councils have been in existence for over 50 years under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India,the Bodoland Territorial Council covering four districts was created three years ago following an amendment to the Sixth Schedule.

While the Bodoland Territorial Council has a well-demarcated geographical area,five of the other six autonomous councils only have specific villages and not contiguous territory under them.

The Rabha Autonomous Council,on the other hand,continues to have problems centering round its territorial jurisdiction,while the villages to come under the Thengal-Kachari Autonomous Council are yet to be notified.