Dibrugarh, March 22: The All Assam Tai Ahom Students Association today appealed to the Ahom community across the state and the voters to use their “conscience” while casting their vote during the Assembly elections.
Addressing a news conference at a hotel here after an executive committee of the union, Pranjal Rajkonwar, the president of the association, said the union had already identified politicians who have only used the issues raised by it for their political benefits during the past five years.
“We will initiate appropriate actions against this bunch of so-called politicians in the run up to the polls. We, therefore, appeal to the people to use their conscience while exercising their electoral franchise. It is ultimately the people who will make or break governments,” Rajkonwar said.
The association is peeved with the pathetic role being played by politicians on certain issues like granting Scheduled Tribes status to the community and permanent preservation and beautification of the historical monuments of the Ahom era.
The union had earlier organised a series of agitation programmes across the state in support of their demand. On February 4, the union had also staged a dharna in New Delhi to highlight the issues before the Centre.
“It is really sad that the political parties have failed to do anything concrete on the demands being raised by our union. Successive governments in Dispur and New Delhi, too, have failed to keep their promises on granting ST status to the Tai-Ahoms,” the general secretary of the association, Mayur Borgohain, said.
Borgohain appealed to the voters of the state to elect representatives to the Assembly who can play ann “active” role for the welfare of the people.
“In the past we have noticed that there are several MLAs and MPs who adopt a passive role during their tenure in the Assembly or Parliament. Therefore, the people should use their voting rights consciously and elect such persons who are active,” the general secretary said.
The two vice-presidents of the association — Sukafa Tairai and Litul Buragohain — were also present during the news conference.
