Haflong, Dec 4: Thousands of tribal students and community members under the banner of the ‘All Tribal Students’ Organisation of Dima Hasao’ took to the streets of Haflong on Wednesday in a show of unity against the Assam government’s proposal to grant scheduled tribe (ST) status to six communities – Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi, Matak, Moran, Tai-Ahom and the Tea Tribe (Adivasi).

The protest rally, one of the largest seen in the hill district recently, commenced from Lal Field, passed through major areas in the town including Sambudhan Statue and Council Rotary, and culminated at the office of the deputy commissioner, Haflong.

Protesters carried banners and placards with messages such as ‘No Dilution of ST Safeguards’, ‘Protect Indigenous Tribal Rights’, ‘Our Identity is Not Negotiable’, an

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