A CORRESPONDENT
BOKO: Garo organizations oppose the proposed awarding of Schedule Tribe (ST) others status to the community which has already been scheduled as ST plains in Assam since 2003. Garo Students' Union (GSU) Kamrup District Zone's president Mactradel D. Sangma told that as per the news broadcast by an Assamese news channel on May 4, in which, the move of the Assam government to further categorization of the scheduled tribes (ST) of Assam into Schedule Tribe others, ST(O) has been highlighted for the tribes, such as Moran, Motok, Ahum, Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi and tea tribes. The Garo community of Assam had already been included in list of Scheduled Tribe by Constitutional Amendment in January 2003. GSU is opposing this matter. The secretary of the GSU Kamrup zone, Chura R. Marak told that GSU strongly opposes and condemns the move of Assam government and demands to the news channel to clarify its stand if the news is fake.
On the other hand, the ex-Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC).B's political secretary, Dogamdot Rangra released a press note where he told that the news item aired was a matter of serious concern. As per the news item, there will be a further categorization of ST of Assam in to the so called Other STs to accommodate the other communities of Assam such as Koch-Rajbongshi, Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutyia and tea tribes, the communities who have been demanding for inclusion into the list of Scheduled Tribes. It surprises the Garo community of Assam. The Garos and the Hajong communities of Assam are no longer the people who have been demanding for inclusion in the ST list of Assam. Inclusion of the Garos and the Hajongs in the list of Other ST has no logic. The Ex-ANVC.B strongly demands that the government should come clear in the policy and disclose the same.