The Speaker of the Bodoland Territorial Council Legislative Assembly (BTCLA) has called an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss the growing concerns across the Bodoland region after the Assam Government approved Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities in the state. The meeting will be held at 2:30 PM at the Auditorium Hall of the BTC Legislative Assembly in Kokrajhar.
Officials said that all Hon’ble MCLAs, regardless of political party, have been asked to attend the meeting without fail. The Speaker reportedly wants every member of the House to present their views, as the decision has triggered strong reactions in many parts of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The move to include six heterogeneous communities in the ST list has raised fears among various tribal groups, who say that the new inclusion could affect existing rights, job reservations and political safeguards meant for indigenous Bodo and other tribal communities.
The emergency meeting is expected to focus on the local situation, public sentiment, and the possible political implications within the BTR. Over the past few days, several organisations in the region have been expressing their concern, saying the Assam Government’s approval could disturb the delicate social balance in tribal areas. 
Sources said the Speaker wants a collective and unanimous stand from all elected members before the BTC leadership communicates its position to the state government.
