Assam: AKRSU demands separate state Kamtapur and ST status in Baksa rally

BAKSA: Activists of the All Koch Rajbangshi Students' Union (AKRSU) today held a massive rally in Baksa district with the dual demand of the formation of the 'historic' Kamptapur and the graNting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Koch-Rajbongshi community of Assam.

Taking to the dias, several prominent leaders of the AKRSU today demanded the Assam Government to immediately fulfill their twin demands. Slogans were also raised against leaders of the ruling BJP Government for its allegedly lackadaisical approach towards resolving the problems of the Koch-Rajbongshi community.

Leaders of the tribal body who were present at today's rally stressed on the need to have their voices of dissent reach the power corridors of Delhi and Dispur.

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"The Narendra Modi Government when it first came to power promised to form Kamtapur and also grant ST status to the Koch-Rajbongshi community. A meeting was also held between the Central and State Governments to discuss these demands," said a Koch-Rajbongshi leader at the rally. "Although we were assured that another meeting would be held in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections last year, but no such luck. At the same time, we have seen the formation of the Telangana state right in front of our very eyes."

Peeved at the formation of the Kamtapur Autonomous Council, the Koch Rajbongshis. The leaders have also expressed their distaste at them not being given ST status.

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It needs mention here that six prominent ethnic communities from Assam have long been demanding ST status. The same has been promised to them by the BJP-led Government but the granting of ST status to these communities has run into a roadblock as tribal groups are against the move that they fear would eat into their rights and privileges.

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