Students demand ST status

Guwahati, Jul 12 (UNI) The students' group, comprising six students' unions, staged a demonstration in front of the Asom Assembly today, demanding ST status for their respective tribes.

The students union agitating before the state assembly are of the Moran, Motok, Tai Ahom, Chutiya, Koch Rajbongshi and the Tea tribes.

Mr Birinchi Neog, President of the Tai Ahom Student Union, said the recommendation for ST status had already been passed in 1993 when the Congress ruled the state and the Tarun Gogoi government had also discussed the issue during its last term, but till now, no steps have been taken to inform the Registrar General of India, the Prime Minister or the Home Minister.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) has given its full support to the issue and the students union expects more tribal groups to join the struggle.

The main agenda for the protest was to give a sort of message to the state government, which may lead to further drastic steps, said Mr Neog.

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