AAKRS Stages sit-in Reiterating Schedule Tribe (Plain) Status

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 7: The All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani (AAKRS) staged a 3-hour sit-in protest in front of Raj Bhavan on Friday reiterating their demand for granting Schedule Tribe (Plain) status to the Koch Rajbongshi community. After the protest, the AAKRS also submitted a memorandum to Governor through the officials of Raj Bhavan.

In its memorandum, the AAKRS demanded introduction of a Bill through the Ministry concerned in the ensuing winter session of Parliament for granting ST (P) status to the Koch Rajbongshis of Assam, including declaration of its Sixth Schedule areas on the basis of recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee, constituted by Government of India in 1996-97.

The AAKRS also demanded to introduce a Bill for granting recognition of the Rajbongshi language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India during the ensuing winter session.

Talking to The Sentinel, AAKRS general secretary Himu Rajbongshi said, “We also demand a special package of Rs 2,000 crore for development of literacy, cultural and socio-economic aspect of the Koch Rajbongshi community of Assam.” He added, “We deeply realize that there is no proper representation from our community both in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. As such, we also demand measures so that there can be equal representation to bring justice to our concern.”