Ahoms, who ruled most of theBrahmaputra valleyin present-dayAssamfor about 600 years till the coming of the British in 1826, will be accorded protected-class status in tribal blocks and belts of the state.
This was announced by chief ministerHimanta Biswa Sarmaduring a meeting with several leading organizations of the Tai-Ahom community.
The All Assam Tribal Sangha, the apex body of the tribal organizations of the state, have been critical about enlisting six more communities in the ST category which it feels will severely hamper the political interests of the existing tribal communities. The Centre introduced the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha on January 9 the same year with the aim of granting ST status to six communities in Assam, which are currently enjoying OBC status. The names of six communities Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Matak, Moran and Tea Tribes featured in the Bill for granting ST status.