Kokrajhar, Oct. 4: The 12th Adivasi Mahasabha, 2015, concluded today at Magurmari High School field in Kokrajhar, after a three-day programme.

Rameshwar Oraon, chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, attended the function today as the chief guest.

In his speech, Oraon expressed solidarity with the Adivasis of Assam saying he would discuss issues concerning the community with the Centre.

He said the recommendation from the state government regarding the inclusion of Adivasis in the Scheduled Tribes list was important and the Centre would definitely take measures for the community's listing. He said Adivasis have been enjoying ST status in other states of the country but not in Assam.

Saying the Assam government should properly implement the Right to Education Act, Traditional Forest Dwellers' Act and job reservation, Oraon also said tea tribes are being deprived of the right to education, electricity, health care, drinking water and other basic facilities in Assam. He said he would raise the issue with the Centre for providing daily wages on a par with other states and the wage board. He said the government should ensure the security and development of Adivasis and Bodo people in the state.

Oraon said he had received some complaints that many non-ST people in Assam are enjoying government jobs under ST quota by furnishing fake ST certificates. "The ST communities are being denied reservation quota by non-ST people which is a clear violation of reservation norms," he said, adding that strong action would be taken against those non-ST employees in government jobs with fake certificates.

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary inaugurated the open session. Mohilary said his council had no objection to the inclusion of Adivasis in the ST list.

The open meeting, which was chaired by All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam (AASAA) president (in-charge) Pradip Nag and addressed by Rajya Sabha MPs Shantius Kujur, Biswajit Daimary, Absu general secretary Lawrence Islary, AASAA general secretary Joseph Minj, was attended by MLAs Pramila Rani Brahma and Chandan Brahma, BTC executive members Rajiv Brahma and Shyam Shundi and Birsa Commando Force chairman Durga Hasda.

Earlier, a cultural rally was brought out from Magurmari to Kokrajhar town. The rally was flagged off by Kokrajhar superintendent of police Shyamal Prasad Saikia.

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal today came down heavily upon the Tarun Gogoi government saying it was because of the "appalling politics" of the Congress that many problems of the region, including the long-pending ST status of the six communities of the state, have been pending.

The Union minister said the Centre was always ready to provide ST status to the six communities but the state government was yet to extend cooperation. The minister was addressing a public meeting at Balipara near Tezpur.