Ahoms demand schedule status

Guwahati, Apr 28 (UNI) The erstwhile ruling class of Assam - the Ahoms - are demanding schedule status as they feel that sans it they would not be able to progress socially and economically.

The All Tai Ahom Student's Union (ATASU), on behalf of the Ahoms, today addressed a press conference to announce a series of agitational programmes in upper Assam demanding schedule status.

Officials said technically they cannot be given the schedule status as they are far too advanced in society, but the ATASU alleged that all the political parties have been keeping mum in the Parliament and the Assembly about the schedule status.

Their president Lakhya Konwar and secretary Gautam Gogoi said they would hold a convention at Dibrugarh towards the end of next month demanding schedule status. They also pointed out that the recently announced Ahom Development Council (ADC) would not be accepted as replacement for the scheduling.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, an Ahom himself, and most of the other elite leaders of the present generation are also from the same community and yet they have been demanding schedule status.

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