Tribal Organisations call for 24-hour Assam Bandh on January 11

Guwahati: In protest against the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Amendment Bill, 2019; the Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations, Assam has called for a 24-hour Assam bandh. As the state already is boiling in protest of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, another issue of granting ST status to six communities in Assam has created a situation of tension among the rest of the communities in the state.

In the wake of the burning situation in Assam and the north-eastern states going vocal against the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016; the union government tried to console the indigenous people in Assam by announcing the grant of ST status to six communities in the state. However, this has only deteriorated the situation in the state as the indigenous people and local organizations have come forth protesting the granting for the ST status as well.

The Assam Bandh, as called for by the tribal organizations, would be from 5 AM of January 11, 2019 until 24 hours. The six ethnic groups which are being considered for granting ST status by the central government are – Ahoms, Marans, Muttocks, Chutiyas, Koch-Rajbongshis and Tea Communities.

The tribal organization is of this opinion that by providing Scheduled Tribe status to the communities, the Central and State governments are trying to eliminate the genuine tribal people of the State.

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