The two-day winter session of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) began on December 1 under an unusually heavy security presence, as protests across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) intensified over the Assam government’s move to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six additional communities. The session opened with BTC Speaker Tridip Daimary presiding over the proceedings. The day started with the Question Hour, where members raised queries related to key development schemes and ongoing projects under the BTC. Representatives from the BPF, BJP, and UPPL attended the first day’s sitting, and a detailed round of debates and discussions is anticipated as the session continues.
The political atmosphere in the region turned tense on November 29, when thousands of Bodo students took to the streets in a massive show of dissent. Led by the Tribal Students’ Union, the protest march began from Bodoland University at Rangalikhata in Debargaon and proceeded to the BTC Secretariat at Bodofa Nagar. The demonstrators voiced strong opposition to the state government’s proposal to extend ST status to six communities, arguing that this decision would weaken the constitutional protections, political representation, and land rights currently enjoyed by existing tribal groups in the BTR. The protestors asserted that any dilution of tribal safeguards could have far-reaching consequences for the cultural and demographic identity of the region. Their march, marked by slogans and placards, drew significant public attention and prompted administrative authorities to tighten security measures around key government installations.
With demonstrations continuing and emotions running high, the administration is keeping a close watch on the situation. Senior officials are reviewing security arrangements to prevent any escalation during the ongoing winter session. The BTC leadership is expected to address the concerns raised by the student bodies as discussions unfold in the coming days. As the session progresses, all eyes remain on how the council navigates the sensitive issue, which has sparked debate not only in the BTR but across Assam. The developments in the winter session are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the region’s political landscape in the months ahead.