ITANAGAR, Aug 21: Reacting to repeated press statements by Galo organisations regarding hearing conducted by Hage Tari Committee on Kora Administrative circle, Adi Baane Kebang, ABK (Youth Wing) and Adisu have appealed to its Galo brothers to honour the customary rights of Adis in Ramle Banggo area for restoration and betterment of age old good relations between the two communities.  
“There is a calculated effort by Galo Welfare Society and  Galo People's Forum to convey an impression to the people that the above Act was passed without opposition both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly,” stated press statement while clarifying that when the AP (Reorganisation of Districts) (Amendment) Bill was discussed and debated in the Assembly, all  Adi MLAs opposed inclusion of Adi land in Nari sub-division in the new district of Lower Siang, irrespective of party affiliations, besides protests in front of the Assembly building by ABK and allied organisations. It was a rare occasion when even members of the Council of Ministers opposed a bill introduced by the government.
Clarifying its position vis a vis creation of Lower Siang District, it claimed, Adis never opposed creation of Lower Siang District. “ What we objected to was the proposal to include Adi traditional and customary land in Nari Sub-Division in Lower Siang without consent of Adis. Opposition was there right from the beginning when the entire Nari Sub-Division was proposed to be merged in the new district completely ignoring customary rights and tribal territorial jurisdiction of Adis,” claimed the  press communique. 
Further, it added, taking note of the strong opposition of the MLAs from the Adi community and consistent opposition of ABK against inclusion of land held by Adis in Nari sub-Division under customary law, the Chief Minister gave a solemn assurance on the floor of the House that appointed date for Lower Siang will be notified only after resolution of the dispute regarding inclusion of Adi areas in the new district. Adis are awaiting resolution of the pending dispute in consonance with the assurance given in the floor of the house.
“The Root of the problem must be clearly understood for an acceptable solution. ABK and its frontal organisations sincerely request the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to resolve this lingering problem in the spirit of the assurance given by the Chief Minister in the floor of the House in the April session of the AP Legislative Assembly in 2014 by passing a fresh bill to further amend the AP (Reorganisation of Districts (Amendment) Act 2013 to formalise continuation of Korang Administrative circle in the parent district of East Siang, stated the release. 
“We have also come across irresponsible statement calling for production of documents in support of claims of ownership of land by Adis in Nari sub-Division inspite of knowing fully well that rights of all tribes and the territorial/geographical extent of land claimed by each tribe in the state are not documented. It is a universally acknowledged fact that such claims are based on traditional law. It will be interesting to see production of such documents by people making such provocative statements along with public declaration that in Arunachal Pradesh no tribe has customary territorial boundaries,” stated the release. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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