Skip to content Skip to navigation

Gorkhas demand ST status

By AT Kokrajhar Bureau |

Hundreds of Gorkha peoples from four districts of BTAD region throng to participate in a three-hour sit-in-demonstration agitation programme on Monday at DRDA parking ground near DC office demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, recognition of Original Inhabitant (OI) status in NRC, nominate members from Gorka community in BTC council.

Agitators with banner,placards,fetoone participated the demonstration and shouted slogans demanding early granting ST status,OI status in NRC update, which was organized by Assam Gorka Sammelan, BTAD regional committee. The agitators voice sky wave with shoutings-‘No ST No Rest’, Gorkhas should be regarded as OI citizens in Assam nominate a member from Gorkha community in BTC council. The Sammelan submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister through Deputy Commissioner, Kokrajhar seeking early ST status to Gorkha community in Assam. The Sammelan warn to take vigorous mass agitation if their demands are not meet as early in coming days.

Laksmhi Sedai,president of the Sammelan told that the Grokahs are indigenous peoples of the state with own culture, identity and language because Gorkhas have been dwelling peacefully in Assam since time of immemorial as defense personnel, a few government officials and academicians, cattle breeders etc in all spheres of Assam. He has demanded the Gorkhas should get early ST status to meet healthy development I the state. He expressed serious concern over tactically non granting OI status to Gorkha community in NRC update in Assam, besides keeping community on confusion with marking non-original inhabitants.

He has put demand of OI status for Gorkha community while filling NRC update. He has also demanded a member should be nominated from Gorkha community in BTC council to represent community with development aspects.

“We started our agitation from Kokrajhar to the cause of ST status, OI in NRC update, nomination of a member from Gorkha in BTC council. We put demands to the higher authority and government to meet early fulfillment,other wise mass agitation will be initiated in days to coming. Government deprived Gorkha community from all fronts of development as well ST status since long years back. The government should take stern measure to fulfill community’s issues and aspects”,Sedai said.

Author info

AT Kokrajhar Bureau's picture

Assam Times Kokrajhar bureau office, BTAD.

Comments

Rup Subedi's picture

Submitted by Rup Subedi on Fri, 28/10/2016 - 05:38
It is my pride, to read the above article which is appreciated. Gorkhas are the key element for peace and prosperity of the soil. Even though, they are still struggling for their identification and their own home land. Each Gorkha has to be motivated, through a spirit of friendship and mutual understanding among themselves and communities around. In addition, walk together and work together to reach to great destination with a fruitful result. I would say, peace does whatever we want. So much thanks to my dear brothers and sisters.

Pages

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Kokrajhar Erupts in Protest Against Tribal Status to Six Communities

Massive protests swept across Kokrajhar and other districts of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Thursday evening as the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and several tribal organisations rallied against the Assam Cabinet’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. Thousands of tribal residents—representing ABSU, CCTOA, BTC Tribal Coordination Committee, Tribal Sangha, Garo Students’ Union, All Rabha Students’ Union, Rabha Women Council, Bodo Samaj, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, and others—participated in a large march in Kokrajhar town, asserting that they would “never accept” the inclusion of these communities in the ST list. The protest rally began at Bodofa...

Politics Over Road Construction Sparks Public Outrage in Kokrajhar

Residents of the greater Kali Pukhuri area in Kokrajhar district, predominantly inhabited by the Koch-Rajbongshi community, staged a massive protest on Tuesday, accusing the authorities of halting a crucial road and bridge project for political reasons. The protesters gathered at the Kali Pukhuri Bazaar crossroads, demanding immediate construction of the Balajan–Basugaon connecting road and a permanent bridge over the Champabati River — a vital link for thousands of residents. According to locals, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma had assured during the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 BTC election campaigns that the Balajan–Basugaon road would be built under the “BB Road – Asom...

Suspected Prime Accused in IED Blast Killed in Kokrajhar Encounter

The suspected prime accused in the recent IED blast on the railway track near Singimari Gate between Kokrajhar and Salakati stations was killed in an encounter with police early Saturday morning. The encounter took place around 6 a.m. along the Nadangiri Hills near Salakati when security forces launched a search operation following intelligence inputs about the movement of suspected militant group members in the area. According to police sources, during the search, an exchange of fire broke out between the police and suspected cadres of the Jharkhand-based NSLA (Naxalite-linked group). The gunfight lasted for several minutes, after which the police recovered the body of one individual...

IED Blast on Railway Track in Kokrajhar, No Casualties Reported

A sense of shock gripped Kokrajhar early today following an IED blast on the railway track between Kokrajhar and Salakati railway stations. The incident, reported around 12:10 a.m., is believed to be the first such blast in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) since the signing of the BTR Peace Accord in January 2020. According to sources, the explosive device was planted near the Singimari railway gate and damaged the track in two sections. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. A goods train had passed through the area just minutes before the blast. Police and railway officials rushed to the site immediately after the incident. Repair work was carried out through the night, and...

Hagrama tsunami in BTAD, UPPL, BJP at a loss

Kokrajhar: The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), led by Hagrama Mohilary, has secured a landslide victory in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, winning 28 out of 40 seats as counting concluded on Friday. The ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) managed to secure only 7 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had to settle for 5 seats. The counting process went on until midnight. Despite its revival efforts under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress failed to open its account, drawing a complete blank. Celebrations erupted across all districts as BPF supporters cheered their candidates’ victories. In several constituencies, BPF candidates...

BPF heading for landslide victory in BTAD

BJP and UPPL are heading towards a decimation in the BTAD polls where counting is currently underway. According to reports, the Hagrama Mohilary-led BPF is taking a huge lead in most of the seats, far ahead of the ruling UPPL, which is leading in only 5 seats. Significantly, the high-profile campaign by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with BJP stars has failed to woo voters, with the party taking the lead in only 2–3 seats. If this trend continues till 1 in the afternoon, BPF will be able to ensure a landslide victory. On the other hand, the resurgent Congress has also failed to take lead in any constituency.

Shadow Over Assam’s Electoral Rolls Amid Election Preparations in Kokrajhar

Allegations of irregularities in Assam’s ongoing electoral roll revision have raised fresh concerns, even as election preparations gathered pace in Kokrajhar district. Reports suggest that duplicate and doubtful voters remain in the rolls, while many genuine citizens continue to face exclusion, fueling fears of malpractice ahead of the polls. Against this backdrop, Election Observers Anupam Choudhury, ACS, and Md. Jabed Arman, ACS, of Kokrajhar Sadar sub-division conducted a training-cum-briefing session for Micro Observers and Sector Zonal Officers at Kokrajhar Government College on Monday. The session was also attended by master trainers. Choudhury, Observer for 10-Debargaon (ST),...

National Sports Day Observed at SAI Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, AUG 29: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre in Kokrajhar joined the rest of the state in celebrating National Sports Day 2025 on Friday. The three-day event, running from August 29 to 31, was held in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The programme opened with floral tributes to Dhyan Chand and the Fit India Pledge, followed by a friendly hockey match among SAI students. The celebration is part of the Fit India Mission, aiming to promote sports participation and healthy living. Observed annually on August 29, National Sports Day commemorates Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary and has been recognised nationally since 2012. It was also the launch platform...

Bodoland University Gets Its First Science Innovation Hub

Bodoland University marked a new milestone in science education with the inauguration of its first Science Innovation Hub for Physics at the university campus. The facility was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. B. L. Ahuja in the presence of faculty members and students from various science departments. In his address, Prof. Ahuja announced that the hub will gradually be expanded into a full-fledged centre covering all branches of science, equipped with modern instruments. He highlighted that such initiatives are vital for nurturing scientific curiosity and promoting innovation among the youth of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The hub currently hosts 30 working science...

Bodoland University Opens Udalguri Campus, Expanding Higher Education in BTR

In a milestone for education in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the Udalguri Campus of Bodoland University was inaugurated on Wednesday at Udalguri College. The new campus, part of the BTR government’s “Smart Bodoland” vision, aims to enhance access to higher education for students in Udalguri district and neighbouring areas. Chief Executive Member (CEM) of BTR, Pramod Boro, formally inaugurated the facility in the presence of Bodoland University Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.L. Ahuja, Registrar Dr. Subung Basumatary, ABSU president Dipen Boro, Bodo Sahitya Sabha general secretary Nilakanta Goyary, along with academicians, principals, senior citizens, students, and guardians. From...