Assam: Tribal bodies allege illegal encroachment in Tirap, warn of mass agitation if action not taken

Tribal bodies in Margherita have alleged illegal land encroachment by non-tribal, despite the area being under tribal belt, while issuing a stern warning of a large-scale mass movement if immediate action is not taken by the administration.

In a joint press conference held on Saturday, February 14, at the Longtong Sema village, five prominent tribal organisations — the All Assam Sema Naga Council, All Assam Tangsa Student Union, Pan Singpho Student Union, All Man Tai Speaking Student Union and All Assam Mech Kachari Student Union — strongly condemned the alleged encroachment in the protected tribal belt area of Margherita in Tinsukia district.

The organisations alleged that members of the Sema Naga community have been peacefully residing in the area for over a century, maintaining communal harmony and safeguarding their ancestral lands. However, they claimed that land belonging to Hotoshe Sema, a resident of 1 No. Longtong Sema Naga village under the Tirap Tribal Belt, has been forcibly and illegally occupied.

According to the allegations, three individuals — Anil Kumar Sah, Krishna Sah, and Rahul Sah, residents of 1 No. Longtong in the 3 Miles area under Lekhapani Police Station — have encroached upon the land. The incident has reportedly caused mental distress and heightened tension within the affected family and the larger Sema community.

The organisations asserted that the land falls within a protected tribal belt governed by the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886, particularly Chapter X, Sections 165(1) and 165(3), which prohibit non-tribals from occupying land in notified tribal belts and blocks.

Terming the alleged act a serious violation of tribal protection laws, the organisations stated that the case involves criminal trespass, intimidation, harassment, and atrocities against Scheduled Tribe members. An FIR has already been lodged at Lekhapani Police Station against the accused persons on charges of illegal occupation and mental harassment.

Demanding immediate arrest of the accused and strict legal action, the tribal bodies warned that failure to act promptly could trigger a large-scale democratic movement across the region.