The All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam on Monday launched a statewide protest demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the community.

Thousands of activists, association office-bearers, Adivasi people and women activists thronged in front of residences of legislators as part of the “ghar chalo” programme and chanted slogans.

Suresh Bhumij, vice-president of the association’s Tinsukia district committee, said: “We want the legislators to write letters on the ST status issue to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, tea tribes welfare minister Sanjoy Kishan and Union minister for tribal affairs Arjun Munda. Our struggle will continue till our demands are met.”

“Tea workers work eight hours a day but even today they don’t get the minimum wage of Rs 351 promised by the government,” he added.

Doomdooma legislator Durga Bhumij said: “Adivasis should get their rights.”