Massive Tribal protest in Silchar: Demand land rights and ST status

The All Assam Indigenous Students’ Organization (AAISO) staged a major protest in Silchar on Monday, urging the BJP to address indigenous demands before the 2026 Assembly elections.

Over a hundred protesters, including both women and men, rallied in front of the Shaheed Khudiram Bose statue near the Cachar District Commissioner’s office, calling for increased daily wages, land rights, and Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The group submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the District Commissioner, highlighting the need for ST status, voting rights in autonomous councils, and land rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006, as well as land allocation under Mission Basundhara. Despite repeated appeals, no action has been taken by the government, prompting the protest.

The AAISO has warned that if their demands are not met before the 2026 elections, they may withdraw support for the BJP. They also indicated that they might escalate their protests, potentially blocking roads and organizing larger movements to secure their rights.