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With Amit Shah set to visit Assam, Koch-Rajbongshis reiterates demand for Scheduled Tribe status

During the six-month period, the community secured a disproportionate share of reserved seats, including 33 out of 42 medical seats and 17 out of 21 engineering seats, sparking outrage among other ST groups.

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As Union Home Minister Amit Shah prepares for a three-day visit to Assam starting March 14, the Koch-Rajbongshi community has renewed its decades-long demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Koch-Rajbongshis, one of the largest ethnic groups in the region, are among six communities in Assam seeking tribal status, alongside the Adivasis, Ahoms, Chutias, Mataks, and Morans.

On Saturday evening, leaders of the Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilita Joutha Mancha, an umbrella organization representing 12 Koch-Rajbongshi groups, submitted a 15-point memorandum to Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia. The memorandum highlighted their key demands, with ST status topping the list. Other demands included the re-establishment of the historic Kamatapur State and the creation of a Chilarai Regiment in the armed forces to honor the community’s legendary warrior, Chilarai.

The Mancha has urged the BJP to facilitate a tripartite meeting involving the Central and State governments by April 30, 2025. A spokesperson for the organization warned of potential protests if their demands are ignored or exploited for electoral gains during the 2026 Assembly elections.

“We have warned against using our community as a political tool, as has happened in the past. Our demands are genuine and must be addressed with sincerity,” the spokesperson said.

The Koch-Rajbongshis and the other five communities currently hold Other Backward Classes (OBC) status. In Assam, OBCs have a 27% reservation quota, while ST (Plains), Scheduled Caste (SC), and ST (Hills) communities have 10%, 7%, and 5% quotas, respectively. The demand for ST status has been a contentious issue for nearly three decades, with the BJP promising to address it ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The existing ST communities in Assam have consistently opposed granting tribal status to the six ethnic groups. In 2011, the Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA), representing 10 tribes, including the Bodo, Rabha, Tiwa, and Karbi, wrote to the Singla Committee expressing their concerns.

The CCTOA argued that granting ST status to “advanced and populous OBC communities” would marginalize the existing ST groups. “These six communities are educationally and economically advanced and more numerous. If granted ST status, they would dominate elected bodies, education, and employment opportunities, effectively wiping out the existing ST communities,” the CCTOA stated.

The committee also highlighted that the Registrar General of India had rejected the six communities’ demands eight times between 1981 and 2006.

The Central government briefly granted ST status to the Koch-Rajbongshis in 1996, but the decision was revoked after widespread protests. During the six-month period, the community secured a disproportionate share of reserved seats, including 33 out of 42 medical seats and 17 out of 21 engineering seats, sparking outrage among other ST groups.

The renewed demand for ST status comes at a politically sensitive time, with Amit Shah’s visit expected to focus on Assam’s development and ethnic issues. The BJP, which has historically supported the Koch-Rajbongshis’ demand, faces the challenge of balancing the aspirations of the six communities with the concerns of existing ST groups.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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World praised India’s AI potential at AI Impact Summit, says PM Modi

PM Modi said the world praised India’s AI potential at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where 89 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on artificial intelligence.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

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