Kokrajhar impacted most after ST-seeking Tea Tribe organization calls ‘Bandh'

Guwahati, January 18, 2019: Kokrajhar

The tea tribe community of Kokrajhar has long been demanding the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Adivasi National Convention Committee has called a 12-hour bandh today because the central government has not met their demand thus far. The bandh has been called from 5 am-5 pm. ‘Bandh’ supporters burned tyres and shouted slogans. They have also warned the BJP of dire consequences if the government does not fulfill their demand.

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“We have been seeking ST status for long. But now that we have come close to attaining the status, the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) government is trying to deny us. We have called this bandh to alert the BTC government that we want our rights”, said a local tribe leader, speaking from Kokrajhar.

Another leader condemned the BJP government for turning back on their promise of granting ST status. “They took votes from us in 2014 promising us ST status and now they are trying to split the adivasi people into two factions. We are asking for our rights”, he said.

The impact of the bandh was felt most in Kokrajhar where shops and institutions were closed down. The streets too wore a deserted look as vehicles were stopped from plying. Neighbouring Fakiragram, Salakati, Srirampur, Kachugaon, Salfanguri as well as Chirang district areas were also affected.