Sonowal Kacharis condemn ‘undemocratic’ way of running council

Major allegations:* Misappropriation of fund* Violation of council tenets* Expulsion of six SKAC members* Members selected from areas already represented

DIBRUGARH, Feb 9: Members of several Sonowal Kachari organizations burnt the effigy of the chief executive member of Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council (SKAC), Milan Sonowal, at Dibrugarh today. They were protesting against his alleged undemocratic way of running the council. They also demanded the submission of the utilization report of Rs 4.5 crore, the total Plan amount allocated to SKAC in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.

While talking to this reporter, the general secretary of the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union (AASKSU), Dipu Ranjan Makrary, said that Sonowal had expelled six members of the SKAC last month without any consultation with the other organizations. He further stated that when the others had approached him, the chief executive member had promised to discuss with them before taking any decision. However, he appointed six members and conducted the oath taking ceremony yesterday keeping the Sonowal Kachari bodies in the dark, the student leader added. He also alleged that there had been complaints of misappropriation of fund and demanded that Sonowal reveal how Rs 4.5 crore had been used.

Secretary of the Sonowal Kachari Nari Xantha (SKNX), Rashmirekha Sonowal, said that five seats of SKAC were reserved for women representatives and had asked Milan Sonowal to select the candidates so as to represent all the Sonowal Kachari areas. However, he appointed two members from areas, which were already being represented in the Council despite his promise to listen to their advice, she added. The leader of the women’s organization further said that the SKAC was constituted democratically. She further said that the recent activities of Milan Sonowal were in total violation of the basic tenets of the council.