Make stance on ST status clear: Six ethnic groups

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Janogosthiya Aikya Mancha, Asom (JAMA) has condemned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement on the ST status to the six ethnic groups of the state – Morans, Mottucks, Koch-Rajbongshis, Tai Ahoms, Chutias and Tea Tribes.

The JAMA is a conglomerate of the All Moran Students' Union, the All Assam Chutia Students' Union, the All Assam Tai Ahom Students' Union, the Muttuck Yuva-Chatra Sanmilan, the All Assam Tea Tribe Students' Association, the All Koch-Rajbongshi Students' Union and the Sadou Chutia Jaati Yuva Sanmilan.

The organizations had their executive committee meeting here today. Talking to the media after the meeting, AATSA president Dhiraj Gowala alleged, "In his January 1 interaction with the media, the Chief Minister said that there would be a bloodbath in the state in the event of ST status accorded to the six ethnic groups. However, we want to say that the state will witness bloodshed if the government doesn't accord ST status to the six ethnic groups.

"Let the government make its stance on ST status to the six ethnic groups clear. We will welcome the government if it accords ST status to any of the six ethnic groups of the state. However, we will continue our fight till the last of the six ethnic groups gets the ST status.

"On January 26, we will stage protests at Chachal against the Chief Minister's January 1 statement. We will also stage serial protests from this month in all districts in support of our demands."

Also Read: 'ST status cannot be granted to six communities without harming interest of existing ST communities'

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