The BJP-led Assam government has approved the identification of five Assamese Muslim sub-groups as “indigenous Assamese Muslim communities” to ensure their all-round development.

The five sub-groups are Goria, Moriya, Jolha, Deshi, and Syed.

The cabinet headed by Himanta Biswa Sarma approved the move on Tuesday evening for protecting the interests of the indigenous Muslims in line with the recommendation of a committee set up by the government in July last year.

The decision, which will benefit a population of around 35 lakh people, will help focus on their health, education, financial inclusion, skill development and women empowerment and also secure their cultural identity, the government said.

The committee had on April 21 recommended notifying the Assamese Muslim groups as a distinct group in the state. The committee had also recommended conducting a census to document the Assamese Muslims to provide them with identity cards.

The recommendations were essentially aimed at avoiding “confusion” between Assamese Muslims and the migrant Bengali-speaking or Bengal-origin Muslims.

At the first meeting of Assamese Muslim community leaders, convened by chief minister Sarma last July, he had emphasised on “protecting and preserving” the uniqueness of the “indigenous” Assamese Muslims.

A senior member of the committee said the government would hold discussions with Bengali Muslims as not all Bengali-speaking Muslims are migrants. The overall Muslim population in Assam is around 35 per cent.