Assam: Indigenous tribes raise alarm over inclusion of non-tribals in Tirap tribal belt

A strong wave of resentment has erupted among Assam’s tribal communities after the state government extended protected class status to several non-tribal groups within the historic Tirap Tribal Belt in Tinsukia district.

The decision, approved by the Assam Cabinet on August 18, 2025 (Notification: Memo No.ECF.647686/1/1211687/2025/A), grants recognition to communities including Nepali graziers, Bengali Namo Shudras and Sutradhars, Scheduled Castes, Chowtal Munda, and OBCs. Indigenous groups argue that this move undermines the very purpose of Tribal Belts, which were established to safeguard the land and identity of native populations.

The Assam cabinet had approved the inclusion of seven communities as protected classes in the Tirap Tribal Belt, enabling land settlemt for individuals residing there since beofre 2011.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made this announcement following the state cabinet meeting held on July 31.

The communities include Ahom, Matak, Moran, Chutia, Gorkha, Tea Garden and Adivasi groups. The inclusion was made under Section 160(2) of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. 

The Tirap Tribal Belt, created by government notification on March 13, 1951, has historically been home to communities such as the Singpho, Tangsa, Sema, Khamti, Khamyang, Tai Phake, Aiton, Turung, Mising, Sonowal, Deori, Bodo, Mech, and Rabha, along with several other ethnic groups who have lived in harmony for generations.

Tribal leaders fear that by expanding the protected class list to non-tribal groups, the government is paving the way for large-scale demographic shifts that could marginalize indigenous communities.

In protest against the decision, tribal organizations have announced a 24-hour bandh in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts on August 24, 2025, coinciding with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s scheduled visit to Margherita.

Critics allege that the BJP-led government, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, is attempting to consolidate new vote banks by extending benefits to 'outsiders'. Similar moves in the past in Mubongchelek Tribal Belt and Sadiya Tribal Belt allegedly enabled suspicious Nepali settlers to secure permanent settlement rights by posing as long-term residents.

Originally, only Nepali graziers (cattle herders) were granted recognition within Tribal Belts. However, tribal bodies allege that today, newly arrived Nepali-speaking migrants from Nepal, aided by already settled groups, are using the “Gorkha identity” to gain inclusion, posing a serious demographic threat.

The statement also accuses the government of gradually diluting tribal reservations in jobs and education, while alleging that the All Assam Tribal Association has failed to resist these changes.

Tribal communities argue that while eviction drives against illegal encroachers elsewhere in Assam are welcomed, the government has refrained from removing outsiders from Tribal Belts, thereby endangering the survival of indigenous groups.