DIBRUGARH, July 14 � The Assam Adivasi Peace Movement (AAPM) has appreciated the initiative of the Union Home Ministry and the State Government in holding talks with the Adivasi organisations including Adivasi outfits to resolve various problems of the Adivasi community of the State, particularly the vexed Scheduled Tribe (ST) issue.
The Assam Adivasi Peace Movement, which was instrumental in bringing a few Adivasi outfits to the negotiating table, also works for the rights and social justice of the Adivasi communities in the State. �The interest shown by the Government to facilitate tripartite talks with the Adivasi groups is indeed a welcome gesture,� a release issued by the Assam Adivasi Peace Movement stated.
The organisation, formed by a few prominent leaders of the Adivasi community in collaboration with various Adivasi organisations, alleged that the State Government was averse to the scheduling of the Adivasis. The leaders of the peace movement group said that the ST issue is a pending demand of the Adivasis of Assam. ST status has been the primary demand of almost all Adivasi organisations including the armed outfits. The Adivasi Council was the pioneer organisation in placing this demand before the Government of India and the State Government. But the successive governments both at the Centre and the State have turned a deaf ear to the ST demand, the release said.
�Adivasis in Assam are neglected and have been deprived for decades of socio-economic development, education, livelihood opportunities, social security, etc.
