Widespread protests erupted in the Dima Hasao district as tribal student organizations voiced their opposition to a bill presented in the Assam Legislative Assembly, which seeks to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities within the state. Members of the Dimasa Students’ Union, the All Dimasa Students’ Union, and various other tribal student groups assembled at the Haflong Town Committee field, effectively bringing the town’s activities to a halt. The demonstrators called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill, arguing that it jeopardizes the rights and interests of existing tribal communities in the region.
The protesting organizations condemned the government’s initiative as “unacceptable” and “harmful,” warning that adding these six communities to the ST list could disrupt the socio-economic and political balance in tribal-majority regions like Dima Hasao. During the demonstration, Pramit Chengyung, General Secretary of the Dimasa Students’ Union, urged the state government to rethink the proposed amendment. “We reject the proposal taken in the Assembly on November 27 to grant ST status to the six communities,” he stated firmly.
Chengyung further claimed that the government’s move was politically motivated, suggesting that it aimed to target the combined population of these six communities-estimated to be nearly one crore-in anticipation of the 2026 Assembly elections. He emphasized that, according to Article 244(A) of the Sixth Schedule, any proposal to create a separate Autonomous State must first gain approval from the Assam Legislative Assembly before it can proceed to Parliament. “If that is done, the 40 lakh tribal people of Assam will accept the proposal,” Chengyung added.
The organizations reiterated that the protection of indigenous Scheduled Tribe communities’ rights must remain a top priority for the state.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/massive-protests-erupt-in-haflong-against-bill-granting-st-status-to-six-communities-1312384-2025-12-03?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-12-03 17:22:00
