HT Correspondent
NAGAON, Feb 2: The Koch Rajbongshi community has renewed its demand for tribal status ahead of the forthcoming Assam Assembly elections, warning of a mass movement if the long-pending issue is not resolved.
The demand was raised at a public function organised by the Central Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union to mark the 516th birth anniversary of legendary warrior Chilarai.
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Addressing the gathering, Paresh Chandra Deka, state president of the Middle Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union, alleged that successive governments had misled the community on the issue of tribal status.
He said the community would be forced to launch a mass agitation if its constitutional demand continues to be ignored.
Noted scholar Mohini Mohan Deka spoke on the life and ideals of Chilarai, highlighting his role in shaping the region’s history, while former MLA Dr Durlav Chamua stressed the need to preserve the cultural heritage and identity of the Koch Rajbongshi community.
During the programme, the students’ union released a charter of demands, which included the setting up of a Koch Rajbongshi Development Authority.
The organisation also honoured Madhu Bora and Dr Keshab Bora with the Chilarai Sanman and the Chilarai Literary Award respectively.
Several socio-political leaders and representatives of various organisations attended the event, including AJYCP Nagaon district president Prabal Sarma, Uddipta Narayan Raja, senior journalist Kanak Hazarika, Anup Laskar, Nagaon Zila Chutia Yuva Sanmilani president Moon Kakoti and secretary Pankaj Bora, Sadou Nagaon Zila Tai Ahom Students’ Union president Phanindra Gogoi, and AAKRSU vice-president Dilip Deka.
The programme was mentored by Ratul Kr Rajbongshi, secretary of the Middle Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union, while Birinchi Kashyap Bora, president of the reception committee, delivered the welcome address.
On the occasion, the organisation also felicitated several senior journalists for their contributions.
