AKRASU warns of agitation over ST status

Guwahati, Aug 24 (UNI) The All Koch-Rajbanshi Students Union (AKRASU) today warned of mass agitational programmes from October if the Koch-Rajbonshis were not accorded Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Talking to newsmen here, AKRASU president Biswajit Ray said the group would organise national highway blockades and 500-1000 hours bandhs if ST status was not accorded within a fixed time-frame.

He flayed the All Assam Koch-Rajbonshi Sammilan's top leadership and alleged that they had sacrificed the cause of the community for their personal gains.

Mr Ray also came down on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and accused him of going back on his assurance that the ST status would be declared soon.

The AKRASU chief claimed that the Bodoland People's Progressive Front (BPPF-H),the coalition partner of the ruling Congress, had pressurised the government in doing so.

He said the BPPF-H was against recognition of the Koch-Rajbonshi community as a Scheduled Tribe and using its influence at Dispur to ensure that the former was deprived of the status.

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