Assam: Goalpara residents oppose alleged move to allot 550 hectares of Rakshasini forest land for industries

Protests have intensified in Assam’s Goalpara district over the alleged government proposal to make a large portion of the Rakshasini Reserved Forest available for industrial development, with local residents opposing the proposed allotment of forest land to industrialists.

The protesters alleged that the government is preparing a plan to allocate around 550 hectares of land in the Rakshasini forest area for setting up industries while indigenous and landless communities living in the region for decades continue to await land rights and pattas.

According to the protesters, tribal communities, including Rabhas and Bodos, as well as people displaced by riverbank erosion, have been residing in the area and depending on agriculture for their livelihood. They alleged that despite their longstanding association with the land, these communities have not been granted land rights.

The protesters criticised the alleged proposal, accusing the government of adopting a double standard by taking action against indigenous residents in the name of forest protection while allegedly making forest land available to wealthy industrialists.

They demanded that the proposal to allot the land be withdrawn at the upcoming meeting of the Land Advisory Board at the office of the Goalpara Deputy Commissioner. A memorandum outlining their demands was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner.

The protesters warned that they would intensify their agitation if the alleged decision is not withdrawn. They said democratic programmes, including civil disobedience and “Jail Bharo” protests, would be organised in the coming days.

The protesters also issued a strong warning that they were prepared to face severe consequences in their campaign to protect the land and safeguard the interests of indigenous and landless communities.

The allegations and demands raised by the protesters come ahead of the proposed Land Advisory Board meeting, where they are seeking withdrawal of the reported plan to make the forest land available for industrial purposes.