National: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed strong criticism of his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that the identity of Jharkhand tribes is being undermined by the lack of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Assam. Speaking at an election rally in Tapkara, Khunti district, Soren highlighted the plight of a significant population of Jharkhand natives working in Assam’s tea gardens, pointing out their poor living conditions.
“The Chief Minister of Assam pretends to be a well-wisher of the tribals here. However, he has effectively erased the identity of Jharkhand tribes in the northeastern state by not providing them ST status,” Soren asserted.
This statement follows Soren’s recent letter to Sarma, in which he addressed the marginalization of tea tribes, emphasizing their substantial contributions to the economy yet highlighting their lack of recognition. In response, the Jharkhand government announced the formation of a committee during a cabinet meeting to investigate the issues faced by these communities.
Soren elaborated on the historical context, noting that many tribals from Jharkhand were relocated to regions such as Assam and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during British colonial rule. He estimated their population at around 15 to 20 lakh and emphasized their struggle for rights and recognition. He pointed out that while these tribals contribute significantly to the labor force in Assam’s tea gardens, they have been denied ST status, which prevents them from accessing various welfare schemes.
“Our government invites all original inhabitants to return to Jharkhand,” Soren stated. He mentioned that the new committee, which will include representatives from all political parties, will conduct a thorough study of the challenges faced by these communities, particularly concerning housing, employment, and rights. The findings will inform the state’s welfare measures aimed at addressing these issues.