Guwahati, Nov. 18: The situation in the tribal-dominated areas of Assam, which are already simmering, is set to deteriorate further.

The apex body of all the tribal organisations of the state today decided to launch a statewide mass-based agitation to seek a “solution to the burning problems” confronting the state’s tribals.

The All Assam Tribal Sangha has announced plans to go in for a largescale agitation, which is a cause of great worry for Dispur.

Several tribal communities in the state are already up in arms and plan to prevent the panchayat elections from being held in the areas under the tribal councils.

The apex body has been persistently demanding that tribal blocks and belts be cleared of encroachments and all allotments made to non-tribals be revoked. It also wants Dispur to clear the backlog in filling up government posts reserved for the Scheduled Tribes.

The decision to launch the agitation from December 17 was taken at the executive meeting of the apex front.

General secretary of the front, Aditya Khakhlari, later told reporters that the government would be held responsible for any untoward situation that arises if its demands are not fulfilled.

He said the government has been allotting lands at random to non-tribals in the state’s 47 tribal blocks and belts by violating laws.

“We have been asking the government to immediately clear these blocks and belts of occupation by non-tribals. But the government has so far not paid any heed to our demand,” Khakhlari said.

At its meeting, the apex tribal body also took strong exception to Dispur’s failure to clear the backlog in government posts reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates. Khakhlari claimed that there were more than 12,000 reserved posts which have to be filled up.

Accusing the government of being apathetic towards the plight of tribals, Khakhlari alleged that the government has denied many tribal officials their promotions for years on flimsy grounds. “The prolonged neglect and indifference towards us has forced us to embark on the path of agitation to get justice,” he added.

Adding to the government’s worries, the front has also cautioned Dispur against holding panchayat elections in the areas under tribal councils. Citing the recent incidents of violence over the issue, the front said the situation would become very dangerous if the government tried to forcibly hold elections.

“Our stand on the issue is very clear. The government should immediately hold the council elections to prevent the situation from worsening. It is unfortunate that since 1995, despite promises galore, no government has held elections to the councils that are outside the purview of the Sixth Schedule,” Khakhlari said.