• Assam expands Tiwa Autonomous Council with 113 new villages

    Regional
    Assam expands Tiwa Autonomous Council with 113 new villages
    The Tiwa Autonomous Council was established in 1995 following the Tiwa (Lalung) Agreement signed on April 13 of that year between the state government and Tiwa community leaders.

    Digital Desk: In a major update for the Tiwa community, the Assam government has officially expanded the Tiwa Autonomous Council to include 113 additional villages, as announced in an official notification on Tuesday. This expansion raises the total number of villages within the council to 263.

    The newly added villages span several districts: 30 from Morigaon, 52 from Nagaon, 3 from Hojai, and 28 from Dhemaji. This expansion represents a significant milestone for the Tiwa community, which has long advocated for the inclusion of these villages in the council.

    The Tiwa Autonomous Council was established in 1995 following the Tiwa (Lalung) Agreement signed on April 13 of that year between the state government and Tiwa community leaders. Narayan Kumar Radukakoti was appointed as the first Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the council.

    The expansion has been widely welcomed by the Tiwa community. Jiban Chandra Konwar, the current Chief Executive Member of the Tiwa Autonomous Council, expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He also thanked Minister of State for Plains Tribes and Backward Classes Ranoj Pegu and Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika for their support in addressing the community’s long-standing demands.

    Konwar also used the occasion to urge the state government to address other pressing issues, including the implementation of the Sixth Schedule for autonomous administration. He argued that such measures would further enhance the administrative and cultural autonomy of the Tiwa people and contribute to the preservation and promotion of their rich heritage.

    The Tiwa community, known for its vibrant cultural traditions in central Assam, has long sought greater recognition and inclusion within the Tiwa Autonomous Council. This recent expansion is viewed as a positive step toward fulfilling these aspirations and ensuring that the community’s voice is effectively represented in the governance of their region.

    This development highlights the Assam government's commitment to addressing regional needs and improving local governance structures to better serve the diverse communities within the state.