The Assam Government is set to engage in discussions with groups protesting the Group of Ministers’ (GoM) interim report, which recommends granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six major communities: Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). The protests are led by the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), which fears that this inclusion may adversely impact existing ST groups. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that the government aims to address concerns raised by various organizations and opposition parties. He stated that some groups, particularly the CCTOA, may have misinterpreted the report.
The interim report introduces a three-tier classification for STs in Assam—ST (Hills), ST (Plains), and ST (Valley)—to include the new communities without detracting from the reservations of current ST groups. Sarma expressed a commitment to clarifying the report through direct discussions with CCTOA representatives to alleviate misunderstandings. He also welcomed suggestions from opposition parties, notably Congress, to improve the report before it is submitted to the Centre, emphasizing that there is no strict timeline for this process.
