Guwahati: Protests flared across Assam after a government panel recommended Scheduled Tribe status for six communities, prompting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to announce fresh talks with the agitating groups.

The demonstrations, which began on Saturday, followed the tabling of a report by the Group of Ministers in the state assembly. The panel proposed ST status for the Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes.

After a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Sarma said the government would invite the protestors for discussions to address their concerns. He noted that some organisations, including the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam, had objected to the report “without examining it thoroughly.”

Sarma said the government is open to reviewing all objections and wants to resolve the issue through dialogue.