Assam’s six ethnic groups have called a state-wide bandh on November 15 to press their demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The six groups are calledSoy Janagosthi Joutha Mancha.
The tribes involved in the forum are Morans, Mutaks, Koch Rajvanshis, Tai Ahoms and Chutiyas.
Ahead of the 2016 assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party stated in its manifesto that if elected, it would “work in close collaboration with the central government to grant ST [Scheduled Tribe] status to six communities in Assam. Time bound procedure”.
Other members of the party also mentioned accepting the demands of their scheduled tribes.
At present, six communities are included in the list of OBCs, Other Backward Classes. Together they constitute more than 30% of Assam’s electorate.