Following failure of the meeting with representative of six communities in Assam with Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on the issue of granting ST status to the communities recently, the six organisations representing the communities took to street calling a 12-hour Assam bandh.
During the bandh period from 5 am to 5 pm, normal life was crippled here in and around Digboi also.
The normalcy was hit as activists of the six communities – Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Adivasi, Chutia, Moran and Matak communities ventilated their resentment by torching tyres and shouting anti-BJP Government slogans across the streets in Digboi.
However, no incidents of violence were reported. The oil township wore a deserted look with educational institutions and business establishments remaining closed while vehicles were off the road except for a few two-wheelers.
According to Milan Buragohain, the State general secretary of the All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union, the Union Minister of State for Home Keran Rijiju has extended a step-motherly attitude to a special delegation, who had been to Delhi recently on the ground of non-receipt of modalities by the Centre from the committee formed by the Government for granting ST status to the six communities of Assam.
Contrary to their expectations, the delegation was allegedly not adequately responded by the ministry on the issue.
“The BJP would be adequately rewarded for its every act of omission and commission in the next general election slated in 2019,” remarked Buragohain.
“We have been demanding the privilege we deserve for long but the conspiracy by the State Government and the Centre has simply sandwiched our needs and aspirations,” said Buragohain adding, “Our movement will be intensified with more vigorous agenda. The plan for next course of actions would be drafted on July 25 to spearhead our movement to realize the ends,” he added.
The bandh which was earlier called for 48 hours was later reduced to 12 hours only.