BTC winter session begins under tight security amid student protests

The two-day winter session of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) commenced on December 1, under heightened security arrangements, as widespread protests continue over the demand for granting tribal status to six communities in Assam.
 

The session opened under the chairmanship of BTC Speaker Tridip Daimary. Proceedings began with the Question Hour, during which issues related to various BTC development schemes were discussed. Council members from the BPF, BJP, and UPPL were present on the first day, and further deliberations are expected throughout the session.
 

Tension escalated in the region on November 29, when thousands of agitated Bodo students, led by the Tribal Students’ Union, marched from Bodoland University at Rangalikhata, Debargaon, to the BTC Secretariat in Bodofa Nagar. The demonstration was staged in protest against the Assam government’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities, a move the students claim could dilute the rights and political safeguards of existing tribal groups in the Bodoland Territorial Region.
 

Authorities are closely reviewing the security situation as the winter session proceeds amid heightened tensions and public agitation.