Koch Rajbongshi Community Protests for ST Status and Kamatapur State
Demonstration in Chirang for Scheduled Tribe Status
Koch Rajbongshi National Students’ Union staging demonstration in Chirang on Wednesday (Photo: AT)
Chirang, Sept 23: The Koch Rajbongshi National Students’ Union (KRNSU) organized a three-hour sit-in at Kajalgaon on Wednesday, reiterating their long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch Rajbongshi community.
During the protest, KRNSU central president Hridayjit Barman expressed frustration over the lack of progress despite previous assurances regarding ST status. He stated, “The Assam government had committed to granting ST status to our community, but we have yet to see any tangible results.”
Barman criticized the new land policy introduced by the BTC government, claiming it undermines the interests of the indigenous Assamese population. He demanded its retraction and urged the Assam government to finalize ST status for the Koch Rajbongshi community within a specified timeframe.
Additionally, Barman reiterated the call for the establishment of a separate Kamatapur state, urging the Assam government to pass a resolution on this issue.
This protest is part of a larger movement by Koch Rajbongshi organizations advocating for ST status, which has seen renewed vigor recently. In July, similar protests took place in Tamulpur, where community members accused both the Central and State governments of stalling the ST status process.
The agitation was sparked by comments from Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, who indicated that the process for granting ST status to six communities would take longer than expected. Meanwhile, Assam Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu mentioned that a revised proposal had been approved by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and would soon be sent to the Centre.
Following a hunger strike in August, KRNSU leaders met with Assam government ministers, who assured them that a meeting with the Chief Minister would occur before October 3. Barman warned that if this meeting does not take place, the organization would escalate their protests.
“If the CM-level meeting is not arranged, we will have no choice but to initiate a Kamatapur Autonomous Council gherao program by October 4,” he stated.
The protest was aimed at supporting three key demands: establishing a deadline for granting ST status to the Koch Rajbongshi community, ensuring a Chief Minister-level meeting before October 3, and withdrawing the BTC’s new land policy, which they argue is detrimental to the indigenous Assamese communities.
From the protest site, the organization submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Chirang District Commissioner. The demand for ST status and a separate Kamatapur state has been a persistent issue for Koch Rajbongshi organizations, who continue to press both State and Central governments for action. Recent protests have also highlighted broader issues related to land rights and political representation for the community.