Diphu, April 21: The Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS), along with its allied organisations, has opposed provisions in the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed on March 15, 2026, between the Government of Assam and Kuki groups, particularly the proposal to create special seats for the Kuki community in the autonomous councils of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills.
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| Leaders of the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) address the media in Diphu, opposing the proposal for special seats for the Kuki community in KAAC and NCHAC under the recent MoS. |
While acknowledging the Assam government’s efforts to establish lasting peace through the agreement with the United Kuki Democratic Army (UKDA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), and Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLO), JACAS expressed strong reservations over Clause 5.1 (a) and (b) of the MoS.
The clause proposes that the Assam government hold discussions with the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to create two seats in KAAC and four seats in NCHAC specifically for the Kuki community, subject to the passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill.
JACAS stated that such provisions could disturb the existing peace in the hill districts and potentially trigger tensions among different tribal communities. The organisation argued that council constituencies in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong are based on territorial representation rather than community-specific allocation.
Referring to Clause 2.3 of the MoS, which provides for the reservation of 34 out of 44 elective seats for Scheduled Tribes, the committee emphasised that the reservation applies collectively to all Scheduled Tribes and not to any single community.
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The committee further maintained that even if the proposed constitutional amendment leads to an increase in the number of seats in the KAAC, no special allocation should be made for any particular tribe, including the Kuki community.
JACAS and its allied organisations have urged the Government of Assam and the signatory groups to reconsider and remove Clause 5.1 (a) and (b) from the agreement.
The statement was jointly issued by JACAS Chairman Stalyn Ingti, KUYA General Secretary Tsar-im Timuug, KAIYA representative Kensing Ingti, and KFA Finance Secretary Raj Teron.
