STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students Union advisor Hiteshwar Barman, while addressing the media on Thursday said that the Koch Rajbongshi community can gain constitutional safeguard only if they are granted ST (Schedule Tribe) status.
“We have already approached the high-level committee of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord and discussed the indigenous safeguard issue which can only be solved if we are granted ST status. That is the only way through which our long history and culture will survive,” said Barman.
He further added, “Both the Central and State governments have deprived us of the ST status. We were also duped when the ruling party reneged on its election promise. We approached the Union Home Ministry and the Assam Government with the issue and the Assam Government also formed a sub-committee for the purpose. However, the sub-committee never submitted its report. As such, in demand for ST status, we will hold a council meeting on November 23 and 24.”
Barman also raised the NRC issue where according to him, almost 15,000 Koch Rajbongshi people are deprived from the inclusion of their names on the list. He urged that their names be cleared as soon as possible.