Indigenous Students Forum Warns of Statewide Stir to Protect Tribal Safeguards

Haflong December 1: The North Cachar Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum (NCHISF) strongly condemns and opposes the Assam Government’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six socially, economically, and politically advanced communities, as recommended by the Group of Ministers (GoM) and tabled in the Assam Legislative Assembly on 29th November 2025 stated a press release signed by David Keivom, President, NCHISF, Lalthaothang Haolai, General Secretary NCHISF.
 

The NCHISF views this move as a grave threat to the constitutional safeguards and rights of the existing Scheduled Tribes of Assam. Inclusion of these dominant and advanced communities will severely dilute the benefits and protections meant exclusively for historically disadvantaged tribal populations, thereby defeating the very purpose of the ST reservation.The NCHISF fully endorses and extends solidarity to the mass protest rally being organized by various tribal students’ organizations of Dima Hasao district on 3rd December 2025 in united opposition to this arbitrary and detrimental decision.In its Executive Meeting held at the NCHISF Headquarters on 1st December 2025, the Forum unanimously resolved to demand the immediate withdrawal of the proposed inclusion of these six communities in the ST list.

The NCHISF warns that if the Government fail to revoke this decision following the 3rd December rally, the Forum will be compelled to launch intensified democratic agitations, including indefinite rail and road blockades and other lawful measures, to safeguard the rights and future of the indigenous tribal communities.