Tiwa organisations demand Sixth Schedule status and announce Jagiroad protest
The All Tiwa Students' Union and other groups seek constitutional safeguards and greater administrative rights for the community.
The All Tiwa Students' Union (ATSU) and various Tiwa organisations have renewed their demand to include the Tiwa Autonomous Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, according to The Assam Tribune. The groups are seeking constitutional protections alongside increased political and administrative rights for the Tiwa community.
During a joint meeting on November 3, the organisations discussed protecting Tiwa identity and land rights. They noted a previous meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on December 25, 2025, where the demand for constitutional protection was raised.
The groups welcomed the Union Home Ministry's appointment of retired IPS officer Dr Lajja Ram Bishnoi to act as an interlocutor for negotiations. They also acknowledged the Assam government's August 9, 2024, notification to expand council constituencies from 30 to 38 and include more villages.
The organisations are calling for a fresh delimitation of constituencies and a revised electoral roll that includes the new villages before Council elections are held. They also noted the state government's decision to let political parties use their symbols in these elections.
The ATSU central committee alleged that there is a conspiracy to undermine tribal belts and blocks in Jagiroad through urbanisation. The union claimed that no effective action has been taken to evict illegal encroachers from 17 tribal areas despite appeals to the Assam government.
A political convention will be held at the Morigaon district headquarters on November 10 to discuss community development. This will be followed by a mass protest in Jagiroad on November 13 to press for their demands.