Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120250600100.htm

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Assam to seek CBI probe

Special Correspondent

Experts panel will study inclusion of six communities in ST list: Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said here on Saturday that his government would seek a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the violence in Beltola here during a procession taken out by the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam on November 24.

He told reporters that a committee of experts would be constituted to go into the inclusion of Adivasis and tea tribes, besides the Koch-Rajbongshis, Tai-Ahoms, Moran, Mataks and the Chutias in the list of Scheduled Tribes.

The government would evolve a special package for the socio-economic welfare of the six communities.

Economic package

There would be another economic package for backward areas inhabited by communities whose socio-economic condition was poor.

The Centre would be requested to provide adequate fund for these packages.

Mr. Gogoi said that though his government had constituted a one-man commission of inquiry headed by Justice (retd.) R.K. Manisana Singh, he had decided on a CBI probe in response to the widespread demand.

The AASAA, the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Tea-Tribe Students Association (AATTSA) had raised this demand on Friday. Asked what would happen to the judicial probe, he said a decision would be taken later.

Mr. Gogoi alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the violence — to create divisions among the people. Admitting that there were lapses on the part of the police, he said had there been no lapses there would have been no need for a probe.

The Chief Minister accused the Opposition Asom Gana Parishad of “instigating” violence and said it was during its regime in 1996 that 198 persons belonging to Bodo and Adivasi communities were killed.