A Correspondent, Tezpur: Over two lakh protesters took to the streets of Dhekiajuli on Thursday, demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) recognition for Assam’s tea tribe and Adivasi communities. The massive demonstration featured passionate chants, banners, and slogans as participants marched through the town, highlighting their long-standing demands.
The protest was organized jointly by the All Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (AATSA), All Assam Adivasi Students’ Association (AASA), Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, Chah Janajati Mahila Samiti, Adivasi Mahila Samiti, and other local groups. The demonstrators called for ST recognition, issuance of land pattas, and higher daily wages for tea garden workers.
Community leaders addressing the crowd accused the government of repeatedly ignoring legitimate demands, warning that continued neglect could influence the 2026 Assembly elections. They emphasized that successive administrations had made promises before elections but failed to deliver.
The rally also drew attention to the socio-economic challenges faced by tea garden laborers and Adivasi communities, including low wages, limited land rights, and restricted access to education and healthcare. Organizers stressed that granting ST status is crucial for social justice and equitable development, given the significant role these communities play in Assam’s economy.
The protest concluded peacefully, with leaders pledging to maintain their agitation until the government takes meaningful action to address their demands.
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