Protests organized by various organizations in various parts of BTAD continued on Wednesday, demanding the land rights of the non-tribals living in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

An estimated 8,000 people marched from Bapuji Prakalpa throughout Mazbat town in Udalguri calling for equal rights and rethinking of the BTC cabinet’s decision. The protest march held under the aegis of Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA), Mazbat in co-ordination with local units of various organizations was joined by thousands who called for “equal rights”. ‘BPF go back’, ‘We want our land’, ‘Dissolve BTC’ etc. resonated in the air.

The massive rally culminated at Rajiv Gandhi Mini-Stadium in Mazbat. A protest meet was also held at the end of the rally which was addressed by AASAA president Melkhas Toppo, secretary of Oboro Suraksha Samitti, Jogeshwar Kalita among local AAGSU leaders.

The protestors handed over a memorandum to Mazbat Revenue Circle Officer, Dhritiman Das addressed to Assam governor Jagdish Mukhi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The memorandum stated that in the tribal belts and blocks, the land rights of backward and protected indigenous people such as Tea-Tribes, Santhal, Koch Rajbongshi, Nath Yogis, Gorkhas among others, are secured but the BTC cabinet has considered them non-tribals in the BTC area and deprived their land rights.

The memorandum lamenting the BTC cabinet and terming the cabinet’s move a conspiracy to wipe out the non-tribals from the BTC region has sought the intervention of the state government for securing the economic and social rights of the non-tribal communities of BTC by providing equal land rights for all.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Shajid Khan
About Shajid Khan

-

Shajid Khan is an independent journalist based in Tangla, Udalguri. He is currently pursuing his graduation in English literature. He can be reached through: