MARGHERITA (Assam, India): Representatives of multiple indigenous communities in Assam converged in Margherita late last month to reiterate a long-standing demand for the formation of a Tirap Autonomous Council.
The demand was made during a workshop in Margherita on culture, which brought together leaders and members of eight indigenous communities from Upper Assam’s plains tribal belt. Representatives from the Singpho, Tangsa, Sema, Tai Phake, Tai Khamti, Tai Aiton, Tai Turung, Tai Khamyang and other communities participated. The meeting concluded with renewed calls for constitutional recognition and equitable resource allocation.
The Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee reiterated the need for a formal autonomous administrative mechanism for the region. The committee said that despite the presence of at least 87 tribal villages within the Margherita Legislative Assembly Constituency in Tinsukia district, development has lagged behind and basic infrastructure remains inadequate. The committee demanded that this region be declared a compact area under Article 244 (2) of the Constitution, similar to the autonomous arrangements in Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and Bodoland Territorial Region.
The committee’s call reflects long-term aspirations among tribal organizations for greater administrative autonomy within the Sixth Schedule framework, which provides for self-governance in certain tribal areas.
The agitation dates back to the mid-1990s, when local tribal committees first began formally pressing for the creation of a Tirap Autonomous Council to protect indigenous identity, culture and land rights. The demand for a Tirap Autonomous Council forms part of a larger picture of identity and autonomy movements among tribal peoples across Northeast India.
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