Jorhat, Nov 15: Amid ongoing protests across Assam advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities, the Koch-Rajbongshi community organized a significant demonstration in Jorhat on Saturday. Led by the Jorhat district unit of the Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani, alongside the Jorhat District Youth Students’ Union and various allied organizations, the protest drew over a thousand participants who marched from the ISBT in Jorhat to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Protesters vocally opposed what they described as a government strategy aimed at fragmenting the Koch-Rajbongshi community amid discussions on tribal classification. They highlighted several key demands, including the issuance of ST status for all six communities without dividing the Koch-Rajbongshi group, outright rejection of any separate listings, the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Assam, expansion of the proposed Kamtapur Autonomous Council, safeguarding land rights for indigenous peoples, and the establishment of a Chilarai Bhawan in Guwahati.
“We will not allow the government to fragment the Koch-Rajbongshi community under the guise of ST status. All six communities must be granted ST status together, and Assam should be declared a tribal state with ILP protection. Until then, this movement will continue,” declared Durlab Chamuha, a senior leader within the Koch-Rajbongshi community.
In a stern warning to the authorities, he added, “Do not attempt to divide us. If the ST status report to be submitted on November 25 does not favor all six communities, a statewide agitation will begin immediately.” The turnout exceeded a thousand participants, marking one of the largest protests seen in Jorhat in recent weeks.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/massive-koch-rajbongshi-led-protest-in-jorhat-seeks-unified-st-status-1598090
Category: Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-11-15 17:43:00
