Hundreds of members from the Sonowal Kachari community staged a significant demonstration in Dibrugarh, Assam, on Saturday, voicing their strong demand for immediate elections to the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council (SKAC). The protest highlighted a prolonged period of 23 months during which the council has functioned without a democratically elected body.
Community Outcry Over Democratic Vacuum
The rally, held at Chowkidinghee, was a joint effort by major community organizations: the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, the Sonowal Kachari Yuba Parishad, and the Sonowal Kachari Samaj. Protesters raised slogans directly criticizing the Assam government for the extensive delay in conducting polls for the autonomous body. The council's five-year term officially concluded in February 2024, after which authorities granted a one-year extension until February 2025. Community leaders, however, expressed deep frustration over the lack of concrete action towards organizing elections since then.
Budhin Sonowal, the General Secretary of the All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students’ Union, articulated the core demands. "Our primary demands include the immediate scheduling of elections and the release of an updated, accurate voter registry for all SKAC territories," he stated. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, adding, "By failing to act, the government is eroding the foundations of our democracy. This council is not just an administrative body; it is the embodiment of our identity and our constitutional right to govern ourselves."
Stalled Development and Identity at Stake
The Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council was established in 2005 with the mandate to protect the social, economic, educational, and cultural rights of the Sonowal Kachari tribe. Its jurisdiction covers key upper Assam districts, including:
- Dibrugarh
- Tinsukia
- Sivasagar
- Jorhat
- Lakhimpur
- Dhemaji
- Golaghat
The council is instrumental in implementing welfare schemes and preserving the community's distinct ethnic identity. Protesters argued that the prolonged administrative vacuum has severely hampered development projects and critical decision-making, directly impacting community welfare.
Milan Sonowal, President of the Sonowal Kachari Yuba Parishad, highlighted the tangible consequences. "The absence of a duly elected council is actively hindering our community’s advancement. This administrative negligence is directly affecting the well-being and future prospects of our women, students, and youth," he said.
Demands for Transparency and Immediate Action
Beyond just announcing election dates, the demonstrators pressed for complete transparency in the entire electoral process. A key demand is the publication of accurate and current voter lists that genuinely reflect the demographic reality within the SKAC constituencies. They fear that outdated rolls could disenfranchise many eligible voters.
The protest in Dibrugarh serves as a powerful reminder of the growing impatience within the community. With the extended deadline of February 2025 approaching, pressure is mounting on the state government to initiate the democratic process and restore self-governance to the Sonowal Kachari people through their autonomous council.
