Plain-District Karbi Inclusion Must Not Dilute ST(H) Quota: Samarjit Haflongbar

Former Haflong MLA and former Chief Executive Member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Samarjit Haflongbar , has opposed any proposal to include Karbi people residing in the plain districts of Assam under the Scheduled Tribe (Hills) category without a corresponding increase in the existing reservation quota. In a statement, Haflongbar said the distinction between Scheduled Tribe (Plains) and Scheduled Tribe (Hills) has historically been reflected in Assam’s constitutional and administrative framework, particularly in relation to the Sixth Schedule autonomous hill districts. He maintained that any substantial expansion of the population covered by the existing 5 per cent ST(H) reservation could affect the educational and employment opportunities available to the present beneficiaries. Haflongbar said he was not opposed to the legitimate constitutional rights and welfare of the Karbi people residing in the plains, describing them as an important indigenous community of Assam. However, he questioned the rationale behind bringing the plain-district Karbi population under the existing ST(H) reservation pool without simultaneously reviewing the percentage of reservation. According to Haflongbar, the existing ST(H) population is estimated at around 5.5 lakh to 6.3 lakh, while the number of Karbis in the plain districts proposed to be included in the category has been estimated at approximately four lakh. He argued that such an expansion could substantially increase competition for the existing 5 per cent reservation and urged the government to consider raising the ST(H) quota to 10 per cent, subject to constitutional and legal requirements. Haflongbar also stressed that the issue should not be decided by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council alone. He called for joint deliberations between the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, saying both Sixth Schedule bodies have a direct stake in matters concerning the hill tribal population. He further pointed out that recognition under the Scheduled Tribe list is governed by Article 342 of the Constitution and said that any amendment to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order must follow the prescribed constitutional and legislative process. Haflongbar urged the Assam government to make public the constitutional and legal basis, demographic data, and details of any proposal concerning the inclusion of plain-district Karbis under ST(H). He also appealed to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and KAAC Chief Executive Member Dr Tuliram Ronghang to initiate consultations involving both autonomous councils, tribal organisations, constitutional experts, and representatives of affected communities before taking a final decision. “The issue is not about opposing one community against another. It is about ensuring constitutional justice, equitable reservation, and protection of the legitimate rights of the existing ST(H) population,” Haflongbar said. Also Read: FIR Filed Against NCHAC Secretary in Dima Hasao Over Alleged Land Document Forgery