The Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has decided to temporarily halt its ongoing protests. This move comes after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally invited the committee's leadership for a discussion regarding their apprehensions about the Assam group of ministers' (GoM) report. The report concerns the granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six Other Backward Class (OBC) communities.
Dialogue Scheduled for December 4
According to CCTOA chief coordinator Aditya Khakhlari, the crucial meeting between the tribal body's leadership and Chief Minister Sarma is expected to take place on December 4. This dialogue is set to occur before the report is forwarded for the consideration of the Central Government. Khakhlari confirmed the development, highlighting the committee's decision to suspend agitations following the CM's invitation.
The protests by the CCTOA and its member organisations had intensified in recent days, even before the interim GoM report was officially tabled in the state assembly on Saturday. The tribal groups have expressed strong reservations about the potential implications of the report's recommendations.
Core Concerns of Tribal Organisations
In a conversation, Aditya Khakhlari outlined the two primary issues that will be at the heart of the December 4 discussion. The first major point of contention is the proposed grant of ST (Plains) status to the Koch-Rajbongshis of the undivided Goalpara district. The CCTOA fears this move will adversely affect the interests of the existing Scheduled Tribes residing in areas under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council.
The second critical issue revolves around the creation of a new ST (Valley) category. This category is intended for communities like the Ahoms, Chutias, Adivasis, Tea Tribes, and Koch-Rajbongshis from areas outside the undivided Goalpara district. Khakhlari stated that the committee is concerned that this new classification will infringe upon the reservation quota currently allocated to the existing ST communities in Assam.
Chief Minister's Assurance
Addressing the media in Nagaon on Monday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sought to allay fears surrounding the report. He urged stakeholders to read the document carefully, asserting that it is designed to be equitable. "If people read the report, they will see that it does not harm anyone and justice has been served to everyone," Sarma stated. His comments appear to be a direct response to the anxieties voiced by the tribal organisations.
The upcoming meeting is now being viewed as a pivotal moment for resolving the simmering tensions. The outcome of the December 4 talks will likely determine whether the protests remain suspended or resume, and will shape the future course of the politically sensitive issue of ST status expansion in Assam.
