The Assam Association was formed in 1903 by Manik Chandra Barua. It raised several important issues before the British government to protect the interests of the people of Assam.
The main issues raised were:
i. Opposition to increased taxes and the excise policy of the government.
ii. Demand for total prohibition of opium—both its use and sale.
iii. Opposition to the dominance of government officials in Municipal Committees and the influence of tea planters in Local Boards.
iv. Demand for democratisation of local bodies, so that people could elect their own representatives.
v. Demand for technical schools to be set up in Assam.
vi. Demand for Assamese representation in the Calcutta University Syndicate and for appointment of Assamese teachers in Cotton College.
vii. Opposition to the partition of Bengal in 1905, which joined Assam with East Bengal.
viii. Demand for the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919) to be properly introduced in Assam.
ix. Demand for the establishment of a university in Assam.