Jorhat, Nov. 17: It's "Dilli Chalo" for the All Tai Ahom Students Union (Atasu) on Lachit Divas (November 24) this year.

This will be followed by a protest rally at Jantar Mantar the next day by six communities of the state, including the Ahoms, represented by Atasu, for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in order to achieve ST (Scheduled Tribes) status.

Lachit Divas is observed in the state to celebrate Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan's glory and valour.

Atasu will observe the day with a programme at Constitution Club of India Bhawan and simultaneous observations in other districts of the state.

The union's central committee working president, Kumud Gogoi, told The Telegraph over phone that this was a renewed attempt to make the Centre aware of the great men who populated this region.

"During the last Congress-led rule in the Centre there were talks of a road being named after Siu-ka-pha but this did not materialise. We would like the new dispensation to know of not only Siu-ka-pha but also of our valiant Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, whose bravery and war strategies kept the Mughals from invading this region on more than one occasion," Gogoi said.

Assam's history is replete with tales of valour and glory of the greatest general of the erstwhile Ahom empire, who with a handful of men defeated the powerful Mughal troops at the famous battle of Saraighat in 1671.

For decades, the Lachit Borphukan Maidam here had lain in a neglected state with no government aid forthcoming and few people visiting or even acknowledging the last resting ground of this "national hero" until the then governor of Assam, S.K. Sinha, visited the site on October 13, 2000, after which funds poured in and the Maidam was resurrected.

A tourist destination on the eastern outskirts of the town, the land area was initially only 3 kathas and 5 lessas but now it is 4 bighas with many people in the locality donating adjacent land, including a pond.

Kumud said in all those districts where memorials had been erected and Lachit Borphukan is said to have made his stand against the mighty Mughal army, the day will be celebrated.

"At the Maidam there will be a rally, besides lighting of earthen lamps at the Lachit Borphukan Park at Sivasagar and memorial sites in Dhemaji and other districts," he said.

The six Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities - Moran, Muttock, Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Chutia, and Tea Tribes - have been fighting for ST status for decades now under the banner of Sanmilito Janagosthiyo Oikya Mancha.