Assam: Adivasi student body stage massive protest in Kokrajhar, demand ST status and land rights

Thousands of Adivasi men and women gathered in Kokrajhar on Tuesday, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and land rights for the Adivasi communities of Assam. The protest was organized by the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) at Children’s Park in Kokrajhar town.

Chanting slogans such as "No ST No Rest," "Provide Land Patta to Adivasis," and "UPPL Government Go Back," the demonstrators expressed frustration over the prolonged neglect of their constitutional and land rights. The three-hour sit-in turned the park into a vibrant epicenter of resistance, with placards, banners, and loud slogans echoing through the area.

The protest centered on three core demands:

Grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Adivasis in Assam.

Distribution of land pattas (ownership rights) to Adivasi families.

Assurance of socio-economic and political safeguards for the community.

In a follow-up to the demonstration, AASAA submitted a five-point memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, and the Governor of Assam. The association reiterated its long-pending demands and urged the government to take immediate action to address the historical injustice faced by the community.

Leaders of AASAA warned that continued inaction could lead to larger statewide movements if the demands remain unaddressed.