Guwahati: Normal life was affected in western Assam on Monday following the violent protest during a 12-hour bandh called by six communities demanding Schedule Tribe status.

The bandh, which was called by Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union and supported by organisations representing Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai Ahom and Adivasi tea garden workers communities, turned violent after members of these outfits blocked national highways and set a private vehicle on fire. They are agitating in protest against the failure of the state and Central governments for not fulfilling commitment of granting tribal status to them.

Prior to 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised ST status to these communities once the BJP came to power. It was reiterated by the BJP also before the Assembly polls in 2016. However, despite the BJP coming to power in the state and New Delhi, the six communities are agitating for their demand.

Sources said process to grant tribal status has already started, but it requires approval of the ST commission and Registrar General of India before the consent of the Parliament.

Pointing out that ST status to these communities would convert Assam into a tribal-dominated state, sources said number of Assembly seats reserved for tribal is also expected to jump from the existing 16 to about 85-90 in the 126-seat state Assembly.