ATASU activists burn effigies of PM, Sonowal over ST status issue

From a Correspondent

DEMOW, February 24: The activists of All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU), Demow Regiol Committee, burnt the effigies of Prime Minister rendra Modi and Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister as well as BJP State president Sarbanda Sonowal on Wednesday in Demow Chariali at NH-37 road  in protest against the Centre’s delay in granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the six ethnic communities of the State and against the remark made by a BJP leader that the probability of according  ST status to the six communities was unlikely before the assembly election.

“Before the Lok Sabha elections the BJP had announced that if they come to power then they will grant ST status to the six ethnic communities but till date nothing has happened. Moreover, a BJP leader said during a press meet that the probability of according ST status to the six communities was unlikely before the assembly elections and after the assembly elections it will be thought over. The Central Government is making ST status a political issue before the election. ATASU, Demow Regiol Committee demands that the government should clarify its stand on the issue of granting ST status to the six communities or during the upcoming elections we will launch a democratic protest,” said ATASU activists.

Under the leadership of Jayanta Gogoi, president, Sumeet Handique, joint secretary and Moon Dowerah, working president of Demow Regiol Committee, the protest was carried out.