JUDGMENT :

(N. Unni Krishnan Nair, J.)

Heard Mr. H. R. A. Choudhury, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. M. A. Choudhury, learned counsel, appearing on behalf of the petitioners. Also heard Mr. Dilip Mazumdar, learned Addl. Advocate General, Assam; Ms. N. Bordoloi, learned standing counsel, Revenue & Disaster Management Department; and Mr. R. P. Sarmah, learned senior counsel, assisted by Mr. M. R. Adhikari, learned counsel; appearing on behalf of their respective respondents.

2. The challenge in the present Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is to a Notification, dated 20.07.2021, issued by the Government of Assam, Revenue(Settlement & Disaster Management Department) towards including the communities mentioned therein, in the list of protected classes of persons in Sadiya Tribal Belt, in exercise of powers conferred by Regulation 160(2) of Chapter X of the Assam Land & Revenue Regulation, 1886(as amended).

3. The petitioners, herein, have projected themselves to belong to the indigenous Scheduled Tribes of the District of Tinsukia, Assam, and being social workers; have proceeded to institute the present Public Interest Litigation(PIL), on behalf of the Scheduled Tribes and origi