The Assam Congress President and Jorhat MP today said that the Indian National Congress has always supported the demand that the six indigenous communities of Assam should be given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, but without harming the rights and privileges of the existing ST communities in the state. He said that the Congress government had even passed an Assembly resolution in support of this during its last term.
Speaking to reporters, the Congress leader said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has failed to give a clear and satisfactory report on granting category-wise ST status to the six communities. He claimed that the Chief Minister has not been able to show how the rights of the present ST groups would remain protected if the new communities are added to the list.
The Congress President said that as an indigenous community, they want the best for their tribal brothers and sisters in Assam. He said that the Congress does not want any group to feel threatened or deprived, and that harmony among all communities is most important for the state. 
However, he alleged that the current situation suggests something very different. According to him, it looks like the Chief Minister is creating another conflict between the six indigenous communities and the already recognised Scheduled Tribes of Assam. He said this type of situation could create new tensions in the state, which the people do not want.
He further said that this approach reminds people of the old “divide and rule” politics. He claimed that such tactics were used by British colonial rulers, and now the Chief Minister is following the same pattern. He said that this kind of politics only divides society and weakens the unity of Assam.
The Congress leader added that the people of Assam are tired of such politics. He said that the public will not wait for long and may soon respond if such issues continue to create unrest and confusion among communities.
He also said that the people of the state want to live peacefully with each other. He stressed that all communities wish to live in harmony, as one united “Bor Axom,” without fear, mistrust, or political manipulation.
