Guwahati, Sep 16: The Matak community in Assam who have long been demanding the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status are set to take out a massive walking rally demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Nearly 50, 000 members of the community from over 30 villages are set to march from Dikom to Lahowal in Tinsukia district on September 22.
The protest aims to send a strong message to the government and demonstrate the community’s determination to achieve their demands.
This demonstration comes in the wake of a similar large-scale protest by the Moran community seeking ST recognition.
The Matak community alleges that successive governments have denied their rights for over 15 years, despite promises from the BJP government to grant ST recognition within six months of coming to power, but those assurances proved hollow after elections, according to the community members. They further alleged that the government has not only betrayed them, but also six other communities- The Koch, Rajbongshi, Moran, Matak, Tai Ahom, Chutia and Adivasi communities who have been seeking ST status for years.
The All Assam Matak Youth Students’ Association has been conducting awareness campaigns in villages between Dikom and Lahowal, highlighting the importance of ST recognition. .
It needs to be mentioned here that the Assam government has recommended ST status for the six communities, including the Matak community to the Centre, but the decision is still pending.
