PM considering move to grant ST status to six Assamese communities: Rijiju

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering the proposal to recognise six communities in Assam as Scheduled Tribes (ST), a demand strongly backed by the ULFA.

"The file related to granting ST status to six communities in Assam is now with the Prime Minister. After his approval, the proposal will be placed before the Union Cabinet and then the Parliament," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters here.

According to the proposal, the six communities in Assam are Moran, Muttock, Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Sootea and Tea Tribes.

"This will be done before the next year's assembly elections in Assam," he said.

Rijiju said the Central government will soon start direct talks with ULFA to bring a lasting solution to the nearly four decades old insurgency problems in Assam.

The Minister also said that the Union Home Ministry will soon start talks with the All Assam Students Union to review progress of the implementation of the Assam Accord, signed in 1985.