Assam finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Karbi and Bodo martyrs are as much of Assam as Assam is to them.
Minister Sarma said this while speaking at the 68th Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) foundation day in Dongkamukam of Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district where compensation was distributed to the next kin of the martyrs of Autonomous State Movement in Karbi Anglong.
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Speaking as the chief guest, Sarma said, “Just as we gave our respect to the martyrs of Assam Movement and to the Bodoland Movement martyrs, we are now giving our respect to the martyrs of Autonomous State Movement. Rs. 5 lakh will not bring a life back but it is our respect for them which matters. The Karbi martyrs are much to Assam as Assam is to them.”
“The Karbis have said they never want separation from Assam but they want a state within a state. We have decided that a discussion will be held on autonomous state every quarter or on half yearly basis which will be decided after discussion with chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal,” added Sarma.
Earlier, chief executive member (CEM) of KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang said, “As promised earlier during the election that compensation would be paid to the martyrs of Autonomous State Movement, the compensation will be paid today. For the purpose, Rs. 10 crore has been sanctioned.”
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Later, compensation of Rs. 5 lakh was formally distributed to each of a few families of the Autonomous State Movement.
The martyrs, whose families received the compensation, are late Kon Rongpi, son of late Chandra Sing Rongpi, Kongching Timung village, Sarihajan; late Dhiren Rongpi, son of late Khoya Sing Rongpi of Sarthe Rongpi village, Balipathar and late Ram Teron, son of late Sarmen Teron of Beni Hanse village, Dokmoka.
The Best Employee Award of KAAC was conferred on Ambika Rongpi.
While Semson Sing Ingti Award was given posthumously to Jitimai Beypi for Social Service and entrepreneurship, Khorsing Terang Award was given to Chandra Kanta Terang for his contribution to folk culture and music.
Sarsing Teron Langtuk Habe Award was given to Kathar Ingti Habe for his contribution to socio-culture and customary laws. Best Farmer Award was given to Hukur Sing Bey and Jensing Teron.
Earlier in the morning, finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Dongkamukam Sports Complex constructed with an estimated amount of Rs. 25 crore under NITI Ayog.
The programme was also attended by Assam ministers Sum Ronghang, Pijush Hazarika, MLAs Joyram Engleng, Dr. Numal Momin, KAAC executive members, members of autonomous council (MACs), KAAC deputy chairman Ritesh Enghee and officials.