The Assam government’s Group of Ministers (GoM) tasked with examining the long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by six communities is expected to submit its report on November 25, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. The report will be placed before the state Assembly, and subsequent action will be determined based on discussions in the House.
The six communities—Moran, Matak, Ahom, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes—have been demanding ST recognition for years. While political parties have periodically expressed support, no government has implemented the change. Sarma noted that a similar proposal had been adopted during the Congress regime, stressing that granting ST status should not affect the benefits already enjoyed by existing ST groups. He, however, acknowledged potential complications, stating, “After examining the matter, we have found that in some way or the other, there will be some benefits and some disturbances. The proposal adopted in the Assembly may need some amendments. That’s why we have to wait till the report comes.”
The GoM, originally formed under the previous BJP-led government led by Sarbananda Sonowal, was reconstituted after Sarma took office. With state elections approaching early next year, the six communities have intensified their protests, staging road blockades and demonstrations to press for action.
Observers note that Assam’s move recalls Manipur’s repeated inability to address similar ST demands, where decades-old requests by several communities remain unresolved due to administrative delays and political indecision. The GoM report in Assam is being closely watched, as communities hope it will finally break the deadlock, highlighting the enduring challenges governments face in addressing long-standing ethnic and tribal claims.