The Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam, CCTOA , on Saturday staged a demonstration in Udalguri, denouncing Centre’s move to confer the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six indigenous communities of Assam.
“The move of the State and the Central governments to accord ST status to the six ethnic groups of Assam – Koch-Rajbongshis, Tai Ahoms, Chutias, Morans, Motoks and Tea Tribes – is a ploy to drive a wedge among the tribals in the State,” said All Rabha Students’ Union Udalguri chapter President, Samarendra Rabha.
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Also read: Tribal Sangha stages dharna opposing ST status to 6 communities
“We’ve taken a pledge not to allow ST status to the six groups which, we deem, the Centre has proposed for the political benefit of the ruling parties.” Rabha added.
All Assam Sarania Kachari Students’ Union, Udalguri chapter President Samin Sarania ; All Assam Barman Kachari Students’ Union President Madhab Barman, the People’s Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement (PJACBM) Udalguri chapter, President Dandi Rabha also reiterated the stand of CCTOA.
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The CCTOA has been opposing the move to grant Schedule Tribe status to six communities of the state, and urged the central government not to proceed in this regard. The student leaders further stated that if the Centre goes ahead on the issue unilaterally, we’ll hold massive protests in coming days.
The CCTOA also submitted a memorandum in this regard to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi through office of Bhergaon SDO(C).