GUWAHATI: Several tribal organisations have jointly submitted a memorandum to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, demanding the cancellation of proposed township projects in the Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) and Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) areas, along with the proposed Ukiam Multipurpose Dam Project on the Assam-Meghalaya border.
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The memorandum, submitted by the All Tiwa Students’ Union (ATSU), Joint Committee for Land Rights Struggle, Nikhil Rabha National Council and the Borduar Tea Garden Land Patta Demand Committee, raised concerns over what they described as growing threats to the land rights, livelihoods and constitutional protections of indigenous tribal communities in Assam.
The organisations alleged that the government is pursuing plans to establish a satellite township in villages including Sindhisar, Naldhara, Roumari, Palashbari and Bihita under the Tiwa Autonomous Council area. According to the memorandum, around 1,500 farming and labouring families could face displacement if the project proceeds.
The groups pointed out that these villages have been recognised as forest villages and that the rights of tribal communities over such lands are protected under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. They argued that any move to alter the land classification and transfer it to private corporate entities would violate the rights of indigenous residents.
The memorandum noted that public protests had led to the suspension of survey activities in the Amlighat-Sindhisar area but claimed that the government has not yet provided any formal assurance regarding the cancellation of the project.
Similar concerns were raised over the proposed township project in Borduar under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council. The organisations stated that nearly 2,100 tribal families who have lived and cultivated land in the area for generations are now facing uncertainty over possible displacement.
While government authorities have reportedly stated verbally that no township will be established in Borduar, the organisations pointed to the issuance of a tender notice for project design as a source of continuing concern among local residents.
The memorandum also opposed the proposed Ukiam Multipurpose Dam Project on the Assam-Meghalaya border, claiming it could adversely affect 20 to 25 villages inhabited by Garo, Khasi and Rabha communities. The organisations expressed fears that the project could lead to flooding, erosion and environmental damage, including impacts on the ecologically significant Chandubi Lake and surrounding areas of South Kamrup.
Among their key demands, the organisations called for the permanent cancellation of the proposed township projects in TAC and RHAC areas, the scrapping of the Ukiam dam project, an end to the transfer of tribal and community lands to corporate entities in the name of development, and stronger constitutional safeguards for indigenous land rights.
The organisations urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to protect the land, livelihoods and future of thousands of indigenous families who they say could be affected by the proposed projects.