Massive Protest in Margherita Against Land Rights Decision

Protest Against Assam Cabinet's Land Rights Resolution

Margherita, August 4: The Margherita District Committee of the All Assam Tribal Sangha, in collaboration with seven other indigenous tribal groups, organized a significant protest on Monday, blocking National Highway 315 at Jagun for several hours.

More than 3,000 participants, comprising both men and women, gathered to express their dissent against the Assam Cabinet's resolution from July 31, which grants land rights and special status to six additional communities within the Tirap Tribal Belt and Block in the Margherita constituency.

Protesters chanted slogans like "Ei jui jolise, joliboi" and "Asom sarkar hai hai", warning of intensified protests if the decision is not reversed, and pledging to mobilize further in the coming days.

One protester stated, “Inclusion of non-protected classes as protected within the Tirap Tribal Belt will significantly change the demographic landscape of the area. We call on the Chief Minister to retract this decision and arrange an urgent meeting.”

3,000 men and women participated in the demonstration

The Cabinet's decision allows the inclusion of the Ahom, Matak, Moran, Chutia, Gorkha, Tea Garden, and Adivasi communities as protected classes in the Tirap Tribal Belt, specifically for those who have been residing on the land since before 2011.

A leader from one of the protesting tribal organizations remarked, “The decision made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma needs to be revoked immediately. There was no prior consultation with the tribal communities regarding this announcement. We have been advocating for an autonomous council for years, yet our demands have been overlooked.”

The government has justified this action by citing powers under sub-section (2) of Section 160 of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation.