Referendum rally held

Correspondent

PASIGHAT, 29 Jun: Eminent citizens representing various Adi community organisations from different districts attended a referendum rally organised at the Pasighat gidi notko (festival ground) on Sunday, and analysed the activities of the Adi Bane Kebang (ABK).

The public rally, chaired by retired commissioner Anong Jonkey, focussed on the ABK (Apex) byelaws and  the functions of its executive body, along with alleged activities of the ABK’s sitting president.

Explaining the objective of the rally/meeting, organising secretary Thomas Borang said the ABK functionaries led by their president Tanon Tatak have failed to address problems faced by the community’speople living in the state. He appealed to the community members to stand together and work dedicatedly to solve their problems.

Several speakers, including organising committee vice president Tamat Gamoh, retired SP Opir Paron, ABK’s vice president Tabung Ering, general secretary Geyong Tayeng, and advisers of the apex body in the meeting criticised the role of ABK president Tanon Tatak.

They alleged that ABK president has no clear stand over the controversial Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which is adversely affecting the unity and integrity of the Adi society.

The public rally, after discussing the pros and cons of the ABK (Apex), took a unanimous resolution to demand the resignation of the ABK president on moral grounds within the next 15 days.

When contacted, Tatak dismissed all allegations levelled against him, and termed the allegations “false, fabricated, and created by a section of people with vested interests.”

Tatak affirmed that he would never quit the post, because the majority of the executive members of the ABK (out of a total 40) are still supporting him, while the chief adviser and the chief patron have asked him to continue his function as president of the apex body.

“I will not resign from the post of ABK president under public pressure, but it may be possible through the process of impeachment by our executive body,”Tatak said.