UDALGURI, Sept 4 - The All Koch-Rajbongshi Students� Union (AKRSU) on Friday reiterated its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and a separate Kamatapur state.
The Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday paved the way for formation of three new autonomous councils in the State by passing the Moran Autonomous Council Bill, 2020, the Matak Autonomous Council Bill, 2020 and the Kamatapur Autonomous Council Bill, 2020. Minister for Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Chandan Brahma said the Kamatapur Autonomous Council will have its territory in undivided Goalpara district, excluding the BTAD and the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council areas.
Reacting to the news of the Kamatapur Autonomous Council, comprising parts of three districts, the AKRSU welcomed the legislation but said it will not rest until the community is given constitutional rights under ST status and statehood.
A press release issued by organisation president Atul Barman pointed out three basic demands � ST status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community, forming Kamatapur state and reformation of the KAC in �satellite format� to cover the community scattered in every nook and corner of the state. The AKRSU criticised the State government for its �divisive� role and said it will stick to its demands and shall not rest till the objectives are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, the AKRSU brought out a protest demonstration on Friday at Paneri in Udalguri district, where activists displayed banners and posters in support of their demand.