Tai-Ahom Student Body Launches State-Wide Protest Demanding ST Status

ST status

Guwahati, July 4, 2019:

The All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union (AATASU) on Thursday launched a state-wide protest against the Central government for not allotting Schedule Tribes (ST) status to the six agitating indigenous communities of the state.

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The protest was mainly reported from Golaghat, Sivasagar, and other districts of Upper Assam.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, AATASU vice- president, Basanta Gogoi said, “Under the chairmanship of then Home Minister Rajnath Singh, a modality committee was formed. But after the formation of the committee, Arjun Munda has said that the six communities lack the criteria for ST status.”

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“Moreover, under the leadership of Finance Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma a committee report was to be sent to the centre if the report has been sent, why was it not made public?” he questioned. Gogoi further stated that the ST status to the six communities of Assam is their "fundamental right" and nobody can deprive them from that.

He further added, “We are not demanding ST status for getting any job, but we are demanding it so that the Assamese communities remain protected. We want our political, socio-cultural and genuine rights to be protected, thus, we will keep our stand intact until we are grated the ST status.”