Summary:
Various tribal and non-tribal communities in greater Patgaon are surprised to know that they have been brought under the tribal council’s jurisdiction. Out of around 1000 families residing in Patgaon area, on the outskirts of the city, over 90% are from the Bodo community and other communities, including non-tribals. Now, we don’t want to go backward with inclusion in the RHAC, where urbanization is restricted. PATGAON: The government’s urbanization bid has put indigenous communities into a conflicting situation at greater Patgaon area — the nerve centre of the erstwhile Rani kingdom — in west Guwahati.Hundreds of non-Rabha families from greater Patgaon on Friday moved the Kamrup (Metro) deputy commissioner, demanding exclusion of their localities from the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC), which goes to polls on January 21. They have alleged that the move is a ‘deceit’ to ‘grab’ protected tribal lands.The citizens’ body, which represents those opposing the council election, said they would prefer to stay under the jurisdiction of 36 Kahikuchi gram panchayat “We were taken aback when our names figured in the list of voters eligible to vote in the RHAC election recently,” said Boro..