Hill tribes rally in Haflong against proposal to grant ST for six communities
Thousands of students and community members marched in Haflong warning the ST status would erode safeguards and opportunities for existing tribal groups.
Protest by tribal students and community members in Haflong (AT Image)
Haflong, Dec 4: Thousands of tribal students and community members under the banner of the ‘All Tribal Students’ Organisation of Dima Hasao’ took to the streets of Haflong on Wednesday in a show of unity against the Assam government’s proposal to grant scheduled tribe (ST) status to six communities – Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai-Ahom and the Tea Tribe (Adivasi).
The protest rally, one of the largest seen in the hill district recently, commenced from Lal Field, passed through major areas in the town including Sambudhan Statue and Council Rotary, and culminated at the office of the deputy commissioner, Haflong.
Protesters carried banners and placards with messages such as ‘No Dilution of ST Safeguards’, ‘Protect Indigenous Tribal Rights’, ‘Our Identity is Not Negotiable’, and ‘Reject ST (Valley) Category – Save Hill Tribes’.
Speakers at the rally warned that granting ST status to the six communities, even under the proposed new sub-category of ‘ST (Valley)’, would severely undermine the constitutional protections and limited resources meant for the existing scheduled tribes, particularly the hill tribes of the State.
Students leaders argued that the six communities collectively number over 80-90 lakh, far outnumbering the current ST population of Assam, which stands at approximately 38-40 lakh.
They fear that inclusion of these numerically stronger and relatively advanced communities would drastically reduce opportunities in education, government jobs, political reservations and access to welfare schemes for the already recognised tribal groups.
Speaking to reporters, the All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) district committee president Uttam Langthasa said, “This move will dilute the very purpose of ST reservation, which was created to uplift the historically disadvantaged and marginalized indigenous tribes.These six communities are socially, educationally and economically far ahead of the existing STs, especially the tribes in the hills. We will not allow our rights to be sacrificed for political gains.”
Mairing Johori, president of the ADSU central committee added, “Creating a separate ‘ST (Valley)’ category is nothing but a back-door entry. It will eventually lead to merging and sharing of quotas, leaving genuine tribal communities with crumbs.”
Liengoujao Singson, general secretary of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Assam stated, “The combined population of these six communities is more than double the existing ST population. Once they enter the ST list, they will dominate every sphere, from Assembly seats to college admissions and government jobs. This is a direct assault on the survival and identity of smaller indigenous tribes.”
A memorandum was submitted to Durga Das Uikey, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, through the deputy commissioner, urging the Central government to reject the recommendations of the group of ministers and protect the sanctity of the existing scheduled tribes in Assam.
The protesters warned of intensified agitation across the hill districts and beyond, if the Centre proceeds with the proposal.
They also appealed to all the recognised tribal communities of Assam, both hills and plains, to unite against what they called ‘a dangerous dilution of indigenous rights’.
The protest remained peaceful but resolute, reflecting growing anxiety among Assam’s existing scheduled tribes over the potential restructuring of ST status in the State.