Assam: AKRSU Protest, Demanding ST Status and ILP
The demonstration saw participation from several community members, with leaders and supporters gathering to voice their demands.
RAHA- The Central Assam unit of the All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU), in collaboration with the Janajati Suraksha Parishad, staged a two-hour protest outside the Raha Co-District Collector’s office in Raha, Assam. The demonstration was aimed at pressing the state and central governments to address long-standing demands of the Koch Rajbongshi community, including the granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Assam, and the declaration of Assam as a tribal state.
KEY DEMANDS
Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status: The AKRSU reiterated its demand for the Koch Rajbongshi community to be recognized as a Scheduled Tribe under the Indian Constitution. This status would provide the community with enhanced access to educational, employment, and political opportunities, addressing their socio-economic backwardness.
The demand has been a focal point of AKRSU’s activism for decades, with the community arguing that it meets the constitutional criteria for ST recognition.
Inner Line Permit (ILP) System: The protesters called for the introduction of the ILP system in Assam, a mechanism already in place in neighboring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. The ILP restricts the entry of outsiders into designated areas, aiming to protect indigenous populations and their resources. The AKRSU views this as essential to safeguarding the cultural and demographic integrity of Assam’s tribal communities, including the Koch Rajbongshis.
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Declaration of Assam as a Tribal State: The union demanded that Assam be officially declared a tribal state, emphasizing the need to prioritize the rights and welfare of its indigenous populations. This demand aligns with their broader vision of ensuring constitutional safeguards for tribal communities across the state.
Implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord: Additionally, the protesters urged the government to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, which promises constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the Assamese people, including indigenous groups like the Koch Rajbongshis.
The demonstration saw participation from several community members, with leaders and supporters gathering to voice their demands. Durlov Chamua, central president of the Janajati Suraksha Parishad and a former MLA of the Nagaon Sadar constituency, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the urgency of their demands. “We want Assam to be a tribal state. We need the Inner Line Permit (ILP), and we want ST status for the Koch Rajbongshi community as soon as possible,” Chamua stated, highlighting the community’s resolve to escalate their movement if necessary.
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The protest coincided with ongoing tensions in the region, as tribal organizations have expressed opposition to the state government’s recent moves to extend protected status to the Koch Rajbongshis in specific areas, such as tribal belts and blocks under Dimoria, Jalukbari, Dispur, and New Guwahati co-districts. This opposition underscores the complex socio-political dynamics surrounding tribal identity and rights in Assam.
The Koch Rajbongshi community is one of six ethnic groups in Assam—alongside the Moran, Matak, Chutia, Adivasi (Tea Tribes), and Tai Ahom—that have been advocating for ST status for years. The issue gained prominence recently when it was raised in Parliament during the Budget session, following a proposal from the Assam government to include these communities in the ST category.
