DHUBRI, Sept 5 - As the State Assembly recently passed Bills to create separate autonomous councils for the Koch-Rajbongshi community in the State, some organisations in the district have welcomed the move while many have opposed the decision.
The district has a large number of people from the Koch-Rajbongshi community, and the representatives from the community have been demanding the formation of the autonomous council for the community separately, since long, so that their history, culture and social values could be preserved and promoted.
However, terming the autonomous council as Kamatapur Autonomous Council, the district BJP has welcomed the move and stated it to be a �historic move by the Sonowal Cabinet� and one of the major steps taken �after Independence� for the undivided Goalpara district.
A press release from the party stated that this step by the government is developmental and will be a major boost in the overall development of the district.
Meanwhile, the All Deshi Janagisthiya Jatiya Sansad, Assam, has also welcomed the move, but stated that they were hopeful that their long-pending demand for an autonomous council for the Deshi people of the State will be formed, but it didn�t.
�The history of the Deshi people goes way back to the 1300s and since then we are the people closest to the Koch-Rajbongshi community. It�s a positive sign that the Koch-Rajbongshi community has got their own autonomous council, but our long-pending demand has been neglected once again,� said Enamul Hoque, president of the organisation. He also added that the autonomous council for one community only in the district will hamper the development of Deshi people.
Kamatapur Progressive Party has also welcomed the move and stated, �Although the long-pending demand of our people has been recognised by this decision of the State, but our demand for Kamatapur Statehood and recognition of our language as one of the official languages of the State will remain intact,� said Uttam Kumar Roy, the general secretary of the party.
On the other hand, the All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU) has opposed the Bill for the formation of council and termed it to be �a step for ensuing election�. �First of all, neither AAMSU nor any major organisations were consulted before the formation, which is a sheer injustice of the BJP-led government. Moreover, this formation will do more hamper in the district then development,� said Halimur Rashid, district working president of AAMSU.
He also said, �This decision of the State will create further division among various communities of the district and the State. No demographic study of the district has been done before creating this council. This is just fulfilment of another promise made by the BJP before election.�
