HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Dec 1: Hundreds of tribal students took out a massive torchlight procession in West Karbi Anglong district on Saturday evening, opposing the Assam Cabinet’s recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six populous communities — Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis).
The protest was organised under the banners of Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), All Tiwa Students’ Union (ATSU) and other tribal organisations. Participants warned that the inclusion of these numerically strong communities could undermine the constitutional safeguards for existing smaller hill tribes and intensify competition for limited reservation benefits in education and employment.
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Similar demonstrations have been reported across the state following the public release of the Group of Ministers (GoM) reports favouring ST status for the six communities.
In response, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the state government will soon hold detailed discussions with representatives of all protesting organisations to address their concerns and ensure an amicable resolution.
