Slogans demanding ST status, pay hike rend air at Dispur Last Gate

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 26: With a purpose to attract attention from the law makers during the ongoing autumn session of the State’s Assembly session, various organizations from across the state staged protests on Wednesday at Dispur Last Gate.

The All Santal Students’ Union (ASSU), while staging sit-in-protest at Dispur Last Gate on Wednesday, reiterated their demand for granting Schedule Tribe (ST) status to the Santals. The ASSU also stressed to introduce Santali language in schools besides recruiting Santali teachers. The ASSU argued that the State government has not been giving due status to Santali language which was listed in the eight schedule of Indian Constitution.

During the protest, the ASSU demanded Dispur to introduce reservation for students belong to the Santali community in various higher education centres, technical institutions and medical colleges. “The BJP-led state government’s earlier commitment to grant ST status to the Santals has been turning into a false assurance,” the ASSU general secretary Mintu Hembaram said.

On the other hand, demanding to curve out certain non-Bodo inhabited villages from BTAD areas, the Oboro Suraksha Samiti, Assam also staged protest at Dispur Last Gate on Wednesday.

During the protest, the Oboro Suraksha Samiti demanded to stop conspiracy of dividing Assam yet again. They also stressed to ascertain equal rights of all the residents irrespective of caste, creed and religion within BTAD area. They also demanded to conduct panchayat elections in the BTAD area and introduce reservation for all the communities.

At the same time, the All Assam Primary and Upper Primary Schools Mid-day Meal Cook Association also shouted slogans at Dispur Last Gate on Wednesday demanding hike in their remunerations. They also demanded to regularize their services.