Set up fast-track courts to try the cases on alleged issuance of fake caste certificates in Assam, the Opposition Congress demanded in the Assembly on Thursday.

The House discussed issues concerning the socio-economic development of the state’s Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class people as part of Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami’s initiative.

Congress MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi alleged that owing to issuance of fake caste certificates by officials, eligible candidates from the backward classes are being deprived of government jobs.

“Because of the lengthy legal system and official work, complainants and victims have to wait a long time for justice. Therefore, such cases should be tried in the fast-track courts,” Kurmi added.

He claimed that several candidates managed to get government jobs by producing fake caste certificates during recruitment process.

Kurmi advocated granting land rights to forest dwellers from various tribal communities as well as backward class people of the state.

Echoing Kurmi, Independent MLA Bhubon Pegu said, “The Constitution and policies have covered both the SC and ST communities and their rights. But owing to the non-implementation of the policies and lackadaisical approach of the authorities concerned, real beneficiaries have been suffering for a long time. Their demands of land rights and reservation in jobs are legitimate.”

Over 20 MLAs from various political parties in the House backed the demands of land rights for the SC, ST and forest dwellers. They pressed for making policies to preserve the dialects, language and history of the marginalized people.

In February this year, the state government informed the Supreme Court that since 2010, altogether 74,364 ST and 1,9,966 other traditional forest dwellers’ claims have been submitted under the Forests Rights Act (FRA), 2006, while 27,000 claims rejected.

Bodoland People’s Front MLA Kamal Singh Narzary said, “Many indigenous people of the state belonging to SC and ST communities were excluded from the National Register of Citizens, while many ended up at detention centres. They should be released without any condition.”

Minister for welfare of plain tribes and backward classes Chandan Brahma said, “The government will go through all suggestions and recommendations.” Forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya said the state might start issuing separate identity cards for SCs and STs.