Dhubri: Kamtapur State Demand Council (Democratic) (KSDC-D) on Wednesday blocked NH-31 at Serfanguri in Kokrajhar district, disrupting traffic for more than an hour. The protesters lifted the blockade after receiving an assurance from the district administration regarding a proposed meeting with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Nov 28 to discuss the organisation’s three long-standing demands.The organisation is seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community, the creation of a separate Kamtapur state under the Constitution of India, and official recognition and constitutional protection for the Koch-Rajbongshi language.Addressing the protesters, KSDC-D secretary Baniram Barman said the community had been pursuing these demands for a long time, but successive govts had failed to resolve the issues. He said the organisation would continue its democratic movement until the demands were fulfilled.“We have taken to the streets because our three fundamental demands remain unfulfilled despite years of democratic struggle. Granting ST status to the Koch-Rajbongshi community, forming a separate Kamtapur state in accordance with the Constitution of India, and officially recognising and protecting our mother tongue are matters of our identity, rights and existence. We want the government to take these issues seriously and come forward with a concrete solution. We are hopeful that the proposed meeting with the CM on Nov 28 will bring a positive outcome,” Barman said.Meanwhile, the Kokrajhar district administration has reportedly communicated with the organisation through an official letter regarding a proposed meeting with CM Sarma.The meeting between the CM and KSDC-D representatives is scheduled for Nov 28, when the organisation’s three demands are expected to be discussed.The proposed meeting has raised hopes among members of the Koch-Rajbongshi community that steps may be taken to address their long-pending demands.
