ST politics creates turmoil in Assam

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one-day visit to Assam, the situation in upper regions turned volatile on Thursday. While a newly formed militant group opened fire at two different places in Tinsukia district on Wednesday night and issued threats to adivasis, ethnic groups like the Morans and the Muttocks, who have been asking for ST status, have called for a bandh during the prime minister’s visit.

The Assam Police sounded a red alert as Modi is to visit  Dibrugarh where he will inaugurate the Assam Gas Cracker Project at Lepetkatta on February 5. The Morans have been demanding ST status for a long time and they have called for a 48-hour Assam bandh from February 4 starting from 5 am.

The community on Thursday held protest rallies at some areas in Tinsukia district. “We are demanding Schedule Tribe status for our community for a long time and for three times a discussion was held with the central government, but it failed to meet our genuine demand,’’ said Arunjyoti Moran, President of All Assam Moran Students’ Union.

Meanwhile, thousands of adivasis, also known as tea tribes of Assam, took out massive rallies in Tinsukia to protest the attacks.

Assam Police sources said two firing incidents rocked the district — one  aimed at former Congress MLA Durga Bhumij’s residence in Doomdooma. The second incident occurred at Ultapool under Digboi police station.