Assam Tribal Body Submits Interim Objections in Talks on ST Status for Six Communities

Overview

• In their first formal meeting with the state, CCTOA handed GoM chair Dr Ranoj Pegu interim suggestions and objections to the report proposing ST recognition for six communities.
• Minister Ranoj Pegu said the government detailed safeguards and assured that no rights of existing Scheduled Tribes would be curtailed, and CCTOA will submit a final report within a month.
• CCTOA requested higher-level negotiations, seeking a discussion with the Chief Minister and a tripartite meeting involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• The group sought territorial and eligibility safeguards, urging exclusion of undivided Goalpara from any ST listing for Koch-Rajbongshi and calling for reliable verification for Motok identity beyond surnames.
• CCTOA suspended protests and is forming a consultative group, while also proposing alternatives such as extending maximum facilities and political reservations to the six OBC communities without listing them as ST and using Sixth Schedule protections in the BTR.