Skip to content Skip to navigation

Tai Ahom Indigenous Rights Forum Holds Executive Committee Meeting in Dibrugarh

By AT News |

The Tai Ahom Indigenous Rights Forum convened its Executive Committee Meeting today at the Tai Educational and Cultural Centre in Boiragimoth, Dibrugarh. The meeting was presided over by Chow Sanjib Rajkonwar, President of the Forum, and saw the active participation of executive members, advisors, and regional representatives from across Assam.

The gathering served as a vital platform to deliberate on the strategic direction of the Forum, with a special focus on aligning the movement for Tai Ahom rights with the principles enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) 2007. The Forum reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advocating for the recognition and rights of the Tai Ahom community as indigenous people under both national and international frameworks.

Key resolutions adopted during the meeting included:

  • Promoting awareness among Tai Ahom people about their rights under UNDRIP and the Indian Constitution.
  • Strengthening legal, cultural, and historical documentation to support demands for indigenous recognition and Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
  • Engaging policymakers, scholars, and legal experts to amplify the community’s voice in national and international forums.
  • Expanding community mobilization through youth participation, education, and cultural outreach.

One of the significant highlights of the meeting was an address by Rajib Buragohain of Jorhat, who underscored the upcoming Inter-Race Conclave of the Tai Ahom community. He emphasized the importance of solidarity among the diverse sub-groups and lineages within the Tai Ahom society, fostering a collective identity to strengthen their united demand for constitutional recognition.

Buragohain also drew attention to the upcoming caste-based census planned by the Government of India. He emphasized the critical need for the Tai Ahom community to be accurately identified and enumerated in the census, as this will have far-reaching implications for policy-making and socio-political representation.

In his presidential address, Chow Sanjib Rajkonwar highlighted the significance of coordinated efforts and unity at this crucial juncture. He urged all Tai Ahom organizations, youth groups, scholars, and cultural workers to come together to preserve their identity, heritage, and indigenous rights.

The Executive Committee concluded the meeting with a collective resolve to move forward with determination, guided by the principles of peaceful democratic engagement and indigenous solidarity.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org
  • 49078 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

People’s Declaration for a Resilient Brahmaputra Basin Adopted at People’s Consultation in Jorhat

A two-day ‘People’s Consultation on Strengthening Humanitarian Response and Climate Resilience in the Brahmaputra Basin’ concluded today at Hotel Clubway Grand, Jorhat, with the adoption of the People’s Declaration for a Resilient Brahmaputra Basin. The event was organised by the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) in collaboration with the Inter Agency Group (IAG) of Assam and various local humanitarian civil society actors from across the Brahmaputra valley, with support from Start Network. The consultation brought together humanitarian practitioners, climate workers, community leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and women’s collectives to deliberate on...

9th Chalachitram National Film Festival Concludes in Guwahati

Guwahati: Curtains came down on the 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival at the Jyoti Chitraban premises in Kahilipara on 30 November 2025, as distinguished guests at the closing ceremony handed over awards, certificates, and cash prizes to the winning filmmakers in the presence of eminent film personalities, emerging director-producers and cine-goers. Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, the two-day CNFF-25 showcased over 30 short features and documentaries across competitive and screening categories. ‘Koli’, directed by Jyotirmoy Mazumder, was adjudged the best short feature in the Northeast India category, while ‘Joba’, directed by Indira Baikerikar,...

NEHU Hosts IIC Regional Meet 2025; Over 500 Attend Innovation Summit

The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on Friday hosted the IIC Regional Meet 2025, drawing more than 500 participants from higher educational institutions across the Northeast. The day-long programme, organised under the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), was held at the Multi-Convention Hall on the NEHU campus. The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by an introductory address by Prof. Dinesh Bhatia, SPOC of the Regional Meet. Prof. G. Bez, Chairperson of the Meet, delivered the welcome speech, while Prof. I. Hussain, Dean of the School of Technology, NEHU, offered brief remarks....

Tirtha Prasad Saikia Elected to Executive Body of IUCN India National Committee

Guwahati: Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) — a local organization and an Indigenous Peoples’ Organization member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) based in Assam — has been elected to the Executive Body of the India National Committee (INC) of IUCN, representing the North-East India region. NEADS works at the intersection of humanitarian response, resilience building, climate action and environmental sustainability, adopting a nexus approach to address the human dimensions of environmental crises arising from both natural and human-induced disasters. The organization emphasizes community well-being...

PLF Awards Conferred at Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2025

Guwahati: The Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival (PLF) 2025 concluded this evening at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, wrapping up three days of rich literary discussions, cultural insights, and powerful storytelling. Organized by the Sankardeva Education and Research Foundation, the festival began on 14 November with acclaimed author Shefali Baidya delivering the keynote address. On the final day, the organizers announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious PLF awards. Eminent researcher and author Moneswar Deori was named the recipient of the PLF 2025 Award, while promising young writer Srotashwini Tamuli, a researcher at Birangana Sati Sadhani State University, was declared the...

NEADS Assam Brings Voices of Flood-Affected Communities to Global Climate Summit at COP-30

As the world gathers in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-30), the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) from Assam has stepped onto the global stage to ensure the voices of the region’s flood-affected and climate-vulnerable communities are heard. Representing NEADS as an Observer of the Start Network, Tirtha Prasad Saikia, the organisation’s Director, said the participation marks a crucial moment for the North-East, one of India’s most climate-sensitive regions. “We are here because climate change is not a distant issue for us — it’s our everyday reality,” said Saikia. “Assam’s communities have been battling floods, erosion,...

Zubeen Garg: The Man Who Became a Movemen

“Zubeen Garg was not just a singer — he was a phenomenon. A god in human form for millions,” said Manoj Kumar Das, management professional and commentator from Assam, in a heartfelt conversation reflecting on the life and legacy of the late music legend. Das, who had known Zubeen for more than two decades, recalled his early memories vividly. “He was just a simple, soft-spoken boy when I first met him — full of restless energy, always humming tunes. He could pick up any instrument, any rhythm, and turn it into something magical. But what stood out most was his humility. Despite his fame, Zubeen never carried an ego. He could be sitting on the ground with villagers one day and on stage...

Kati Bihu Celebrated with Devotion and Tradition in Nazira

Along with the rest of Assam, the people of Nazira observed Kati Bihu today with devotion and traditional fervor. The festival, which marks a crucial phase in the agricultural calendar, was celebrated with prayers for a prosperous harvest and protection from natural calamities. As the sun set, households across Nazira lit earthen lamps (chakis) before Tulsi plants and in the paddy fields, symbolizing hope and reverence for nature’s bounty. The flickering lights illuminated the night, reflecting the community’s collective faith in a good harvest season. Also known as Kongali Bihu, Kati Bihu is a more solemn and reflective celebration compared to other Bihus, emphasizing austerity,...

North-East Students Shine at WWF Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2025

Students from the North-East (excluding Assam) showcased their passion and knowledge for wildlife conservation at the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge (WWGC) 2025, WWF-India’s flagship wildlife quiz that has been inspiring young minds since 2008. This year’s 18th edition, themed “Incredible Insects”, explored the fascinating world of insects – from butterflies and moths to bees, grasshoppers, mantises, and dragonflies. The challenge, designed for students in grades 6 to 9, combined interactive learning through webinars, informative resources, and a new BioBlitz initiative, encouraging children to connect with nature and understand their role in conserving biodiversity. Over 400,000...

Assam Students Excel in Statewide Wildlife Conservation Competition

October 14, 2025 - Students from Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti School emerged victorious in the Assam State finale of the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge, defeating competitors from 109 other schools in what organizers called one of the most competitive rounds in the program's 18-year history. The competition, held at Miles Bronson Residential School in Guwahati, saw participation from 220 students representing schools from across the state. Ashwin Anand of Class 9 and Anubhadipta Boruah of Class 8 from the winning school will advance to represent Assam in the zonal round of India's largest wildlife quiz competition. STATEWIDE PARTICIPATION REACHES RECORD LEVELS This year's competition...