Correspondent
BOKAJAN, Apr 19: The Eastern Karbi Anglong College (EKAC) located under the Bokajan Sub Division has come under serious allegation of gradually sidelining local Karbis and other ST-Hs. The deprivation of tribals in appointment, governing body and non declaration of holidays of crucial events of the district has come as great shock and disbelief local residents and among the people of the entire district.
The college was started back in 1997 in Hanjanglangso by the united efforts of intellectual and visionary individuals of the local area. The college started functioning with 30 students and the mantle of the institution was given to Anil Chandra Das who was appointed as principal. The college has now completed 26 years with over 1,000 students pursuing their education.
However, huge numbers of locals have expressed deep concern and alienation by college authority as tribals finds no place in consecutive appointments. Further, several individuals alleged that the college authority is now attempting to keep local tribals out from the government body by way of transfers and other policies which are curtailing the role in the functioning of the institution.
Concerned local who wished to be anonymous told TDE, “A recent advertisement which was published in The Hills Times has vacancies for OBC, ST (P) SC, UR, MOBC, UR but there are no posts for ST (H). This has exposed the intention and policies of keeping out ST (H).”
The local holidays, which have been declared by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and events which are closely linked to Karbis have also not been included in the EKAC holiday list. This is why allegation of discriminatory policies of the college authority is rising, the concerned individual added.
Following this, many have called upon the KAAC for their intervention over the matters pertaining to lack of representation of tribals in the governing body and rising non-inclusive action of the college authority in terms of appointment and others. Meanwhile, locals have also sought early clarification on the matter.