The All Assam Matak Yuba Chatra Sanmilan (AAMYCS) on Tuesday has called for a 48-hour state-wide economic blockade on July 18 in protest against the delay in granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the six indigenous communities of Assam.
Talking to media persons in Dibrugarh, the members of AAMYCS expressed anguish for not granting ST status to the six ethnic groups of Assam.
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David Chetia, president of All Assam Matak Yuba Chatra Sanmilan said, “We are organizing a series of agitational programme in protest against the Centres’s dilly-dallying in granting ST status to the six indigenous communities. It was an election promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal but there seems to be no end to the delay. Therefore, in protest we have called an economic blockade on July 18 and 19. Furthermore, we will organize mass bike rallies and village meetings from August 8 to 18 while black day will be observed on August 15. There will be airport blockade on September 8 followed by a Nagarik Sabha on October 27 at Guwahati coinciding with our foundation day”.
He said the Sarbananda Sonowal led BJP government in Assam has failed to provide ST status to the community.
“We have held a four round discussion with the modality committee but no fruitful result has come out yet.
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On July 20, the fifth meeting with the modality committee is going to held and we are hopeful,” Chetia said.
The issue of granting ST status to Tai Ahom, Moran, Motak, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi and the Adivasi community has become a rallying point in the State.
During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised ST status to the six communities.
The promise was reiterated during the Assam Assembly election campaign by Modi and Chief Minister Sarbanada Sonowal.
“We have called the economic blockade to press for our demand. If the committee failed to provide the ST status then we will intensify our movement,” Chetia added.