STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The conglomerate of the six ethnic groups demanding ST status in Assam is a divided house. A new organization named Chhay Janagosthi Joutho Mancha (CJJM) has emerged in the state parallel to the existing Chhay Janagosthi Oikya Mancha (CJOM).
The newly emerged CJJM has now decided to carry forward the demand for ST status to the six ethnic groups of the state – Moran, Matak, Chutia, Tai Ahom, Tea Tribe and Koch Rajbongshi.
Ten organizations of the six ethnic groups staged an agitation at Chachal in Guwahati on Thursday. The organizations did not invite the CJOM leaders and members to the agitation. The organizations, including the Sadou Asom Chutia Chatra Santha, Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad, Asom (TAYPA), Sadou Asom Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani, Sadou Asom Matak Chatra Santha, Sadou Asom Chah Janajati Chatra Santha, Sadou Koch-Rajbongshi Juba Sanmilan and the Barak Upatyaka Adivasi Samaj met at Chilarai Bhawan here last night and formed the CJJM.
Addressing the media today, TAYPA joint secretary Diganta Tamuli said, "The issue of ST status to the six ethnic groups of the state has remained unsolved due to lack of political will. All political parties have used the issue of ST status against the six ethnic groups of the state for their political gains. Providing ST status to the six ethnic groups was an election promise of the BJP. However, after coming to power both at the Centre and in the state the governments have not kept that promise. We will resort to a serial agitation against the deception by the government to the people of the six ethnic groups. If the government does not solve the issue of ST status to the six communities immediately, the ruling party will have to bear the brunt in the 2024 Lok Sabha election."
The CJJM has announced its agitation programme in support of its demand for ST status to the six ethnic groups of the state. The Mancha has called a 12-hour Assam bandh on November 15. It will support the rail roko agitations called by the Sadou Asom Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani on November 14 at Dhemaji and on November 17 at Simoluguri. The Mancha will also support the dharna called by the Sanmilani in New Delhi on November 30.
The Mancha will send letters to the MPs requesting them to raise the issue of ST status to the six ethnic groups during the Winter Session of Parliament, starting from November 28.
In mid-December, the Mancha will resort to various agitations, including a Dispur gherao programme.
The top leaders of each of the organizations were present at today's press meet.
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