Thu Sep 11 09:20:03 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:
**Summary:**
A 12-hour shutdown occurred in western Assam’s Dhubri district after police used force against a rally organized by the All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU), who are demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community. The incident, resulting in injuries to protesters, prompted a swift response from the Assam government, including the suspension of police officers and an investigation into the actions of senior officers. The AKRSU, while regretting the disruption caused by the shutdown, maintains that it was necessary to highlight their demands, which include ST status and the creation of a separate Kamtapur state. This incident is part of a broader movement in Assam, where several communities are seeking ST status.
**News Article:**
**Assam Shutdown After Police Clash with Protesters Demanding ST Status**
**Guwahati, India – September 11, 2025** – A 12-hour shutdown paralyzed parts of western Assam’s Dhubri district on Thursday following a clash between police and members of the Koch-Rajbongshi community protesting for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The shutdown was called by the All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) after police allegedly used excessive force, including cane charges, to disperse a rally in support of their demand on Wednesday night in the Golakganj area.
Local reports suggest that over 100 people, including women, were injured in the police action. The incident has heightened tensions in the region, prompting a swift response from the Assam government.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma dispatched Public Health Engineering Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah to Dhubri to assess the situation and address the concerns of the protesters. “The Chief Minister sent me to find out what exactly happened,” Baruah told reporters. “I met the injured in the hospital. They are all stable. The incident occurred due to a misunderstanding.”
As a consequence of the incident, the officer in charge of Golakganj police station has been suspended, and the officer in charge of Gauripur has been reserve-closed. Furthermore, an investigation has been launched into the conduct of senior police officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police and two Deputy Superintendents of Police, following complaints of misconduct. A report is expected within five days.
The AKRSU has expressed regret for the disruption caused by the shutdown but maintains that it was a necessary measure to amplify the voices of the Koch-Rajbongshi community. The union is advocating for both ST status and the establishment of a separate Kamtapur state.
The Koch-Rajbongshi are one of six communities in Assam actively seeking ST status. Similar protests have been held recently by other groups, highlighting the ongoing social and political tensions surrounding the issue of tribal recognition in the state. Notably, just days prior, hundreds of members of the Moran community took to the streets in eastern Assam, demanding ST status and autonomy.
The investigation into the police action in Dhubri is ongoing, and the Assam government is under pressure to address the underlying concerns of the various communities seeking ST status.
First Piper 