Koch-Rajbongshis demand separate Kamatapur State

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Demanding the recreation of separate Kamatapur State and ST (P) status, the All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union (AKRSU) and the All Koch-Rajbongshi Mahila Samiti (AKRMS) staged a three-hour-long dharna at Dispur Last Gate on Saturday.

The Koch-Rajbongshi bodies also sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister stating their demands. The union said that the Koch Rajbongshis have their ancient historical background of Kamrup-Kamata with 15 Koch Rajbongshi-populated districts of Assam and 6 districts of West Bengal. So, in order to protect their ethnic identity, socio-economic and cultural heritage, the Koch-Rajbongshis need a separate homeland of their own and the status of ST (P). The union further demanded that they must be provided with ST (P) status and a separate state as per the Constitution of India since the community fulfils all the historical and cultural criteria to regain their actual ethnic status.

Besides the demands of recreation of Kamatapur and ST (P) status, their other demands include recognition of the Rajbongshi language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution and preservation, protection and promotion of the historical monuments and cultural aspects of the Koch-Rajbongshi people. The committee further stated that they oppose upgrading the BTC as the UTC that ignores the political, socio-cultural, economic and land rights and interests of the indigenous Koch-Rajbongshis.

AKRSU president Karmeswar Rai said, "Recently we've witnessed that our tribal brothers are opposing the S.T. status to some of the indigenous communities. We want to clear the fact that we're not snatching the rights of others. We're demanding it without compromising the rights of other tribal people. The protest going on against providing ST status to us is totally illogical. We are only seeking for the development of our community within the constitutional framework."

Also read: Koch-Rajbongshis to lose socio-economic rights if ST status not granted: Naba Kumar Sarania

Also Watch: Jyoti Kendra Siksha Karmi staged sit in demonstration in front of Axom Sarba Siksha Abhiyaan office