A 48-hour bandh was called by Maran and Matak communities in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts from 5 am on Friday.
The bandh was called to protest the exclusion of their representatives from the recently expanded Assam Cabinet and the delay in granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to both communities.
AMSU and All Assam Motok Youth Students Association (AAMYSA) announced the strike at a joint press conference in Tinsukia.
Organization leaders alleged that the state government has marginalized the Maran and Matak communities despite their contribution to Assam’s economic, political and electoral context.
The protest was also led by the removal of Shadia MLA Balin Chetia from the expanded cabinet.
The organizations said the decision reflected a continued disregard for the aspirations and political representation of the Maran and Matak people.
“The sentiments of the Maran and Matak communities have been deeply hurt. Despite having contributed to Assam and its politics for decades, our people are being denied adequate representation and recognition,” he said.
The organizations reiterated their long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe status, saying successive governments have failed to fulfill their promises to the community.
They said that almost eight decades after independence, the Maran and Motak communities are being denied the constitutional protections and opportunities associated with tribal recognition.
They said that if their demands are not met, they will intensify their agitation and disrupt the political activities of the ruling BJP in the region.
The shutdown is expected to affect traffic, commercial establishments, educational institutions and daily public activities in both the districts.
Emergency and essential services will be exempted from shutdown.
The announcement came after the cabinet expansion. Organizations from both communities say representation and tribal status will be at the heart of their movement.