Dibrugarh: The Mottock community staged a protest in front of the District Commissioner’s office in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday, seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The protest was organized by five Mottock organizations, including the All Assam Mottock Sanmilan, All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan, All Assam Mottock Mahila Parishad, All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Parishad, and All Assam Mottock Students’ Union.
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The Mottock community, along with five other ethnic communities in Assam, including the Tai Ahoms, Morans, Koch Rajbongshis, Sooteas, and Tea Tribes, has been seeking ST status in the state.
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Despite promises from BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and subsequent elections, nothing has materialized, and the communities remain classified as OBC.
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The protesters held placards and banners, raising slogans for granting ST status to their community.
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Sanjoy Hazarika, a leader of the Mottock organization, said, “ST status is a long-pending demand of our community. We have been staging several protest rallies for the fulfilment of this demand. Promises made during polls have turned into empty words. We feel betrayed, and it is time for us to take a stand.”
The organisation stated that the Mottock community has been marginalized for too long, and the government needs to understand that they will not back down until they are granted ST status.
The protesters urged the government to take immediate action to address their demands and provide the community with the recognition and benefits they deserve.