Staff Reporter, Kokrajhar: Tensions flared in the Tipkai-Paglijhora Part-II area of Kokrajhar district on Wednesday as members of the Bodo indigenous communities staged a protest against an eviction drive for a proposed thermal power plant by the Adani Group and Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL). Officials from the Adani Group, accompanied by the Kokrajhar district administration, attempted to begin demarcation work on the proposed project site, which covers around 3,600 bighas of land. However, they were met with strong resistance from local residents, who alleged that the process was initiated without their knowledge or consent. Protesters argue that the land, inhabited by tribal communities for generations, falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides special protections against land alienation in tribal areas. They accused the administration of violating these safeguards by negotiating the deal without proper consultation. Daorao Dekrab Narzary, Executive President of the Boroland Jan-Jati Suraksha Manch, condemned the land handover to a private entity, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous. “This is not just about land; it's about our identity, environment, and future,” he said. Narzary also warned of environmental damage and displacement if the project proceeds unchecked. As protests continue, the district administration has yet to issue an official response. The incident underscores ongoing conflicts between infrastructure development and indigenous land rights in Assam’s protected tribal regions. Protesters have vowed to intensify their agitation unless their concerns are addressed through proper legal and democratic channels.
0 Comments