The All Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU), aimed at advocating for the creation of a separate Kamatapur state and Scheduled Tribe status, has again faced fragmentation despite previous efforts to unify. A new central committee was formed on July 29, 2025, in Bongaigaon, with Kshitish Barman as Chief Adviser, Manoj Ray as President, and Balaram Barman as Secretary. However, within a year, this unified body splintered, resulting in four distinct factions, leading to the formation of yet another new central committee in Gossaigaon.
This latest 31-member committee, established at the West Kokrajhar district committee’s office, elected Maniram Ray as President and appointed Mrinal Ray and Keshab Ray as Joint Secretaries. In a subsequent press conference, President Maniram Ray criticized the previous leadership, particularly that of Manoj Ray, for not seriously advocating for the community’s critical demands, such as the establishment of a separate Kamatapur state and the pursuit of Scheduled Tribe status. He indicated that numerous proposals for dialogue on community issues were ignored, and the leadership had deviated from AKRSU’s initial objectives, prompting many members to resign from the unified body.
Despite the formation of a new committee, Maniram Ray acknowledged that ongoing fragmentation is detrimental to the Koch Rajbongshi community. He advocated for the establishment of a unification convening committee to investigate the causes of these divisions and expressed a commitment to future unification efforts. Joint Secretaries Mrinal Ray and Keshab Ray also voiced their concerns, citing the lack of action by the Manoj Ray-led committee concerning the Scheduled Tribe status, particularly after related proposals failed to progress post-Assembly approval.
During a representative meeting convened by the new committee, a no-confidence motion against the previous leadership was adopted, resulting in the ejection of current President Manoj Ray, General Secretary Balaram Barman, and Chief Adviser Kshitish Barman from AKRSU due to allegations of unconstitutional behavior.
