Assam quota stir spreading, adivasis block trains in state

The virus of reservations has started spreading in Assam, with hundreds of adivasi protesters blocking rail tracks in Western Assam’s Kokrajhar district Monday to demand Scheduled Tribe status. Train movement was disrupted across the state as the Adivasi National Convention Committee, comprising 13 adivasi outfits, began the blockade in which over 5,000 adivasis took part.

A Northeast Frontier Railway spokesman said: “We had to divert many trains. Another agitation at New Cooch Behar railway station in West Bengal, which is going on for the past two days, also caused inconvenience to travellers.”

The adivasis, mostly working in Assam’s tea gardens, have been agitating for ST status in the state. The Centre is considering granting ST status to six tribal communities in Assam, including adivasis, Koch Rajbongshis, Chutiyas, Morans, Motoks and Tai Ahoms.

Adivasi panel member Bir Singh Munda said: “Adivasis enjoy ST status in other states, but not in Assam. Both the BJP and the Congress have prom-ised to grant ST status, but it is yet to be notified.”

Many adivasis were brought to work in the tea plantations during the British Raj.