Assam: Villagers in Dhubri's Chirakuta launch massive protest against land acquisition for thermal power project

Thousands of villagers in Chirakuta, under Bilasipara subdivision, begun an indefinite protest against the acquisition of patta (legally owned) land, following the Dhubri district administration’s issuance of fresh notices for the takeover of an additional 2,000 bighas. The land is earmarked for the establishment of a thermal power project.

The movement is being led by the Bilasipara District Committee of the Sadou Asom Goria Moria Deshi Jatiya Parishad. Residents say they have abandoned their daily routines and homes to take part in the agitation.

For generations, indigenous Deshi Muslim and Rajbanshi communities have lived in Chirakuta (Part 1) and Jamduar (Parts 1 and 2) villages. They allege that the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led state government is attempting to transfer their ancestral lands to the Adani Group for the proposed project.

Demonstrators have vowed not to surrender “even an inch” of their patta land and are demanding an immediate rollback of the acquisition decision. Local leaders have warned that the protest will continue indefinitely until the government withdraws the notices.