Guwahati, Oct 12: A massive crowd gathered at Chachal, Guwahati, on Sunday as hundreds of residents, activists, and community representatives joined a public rally demanding land rights and protesting forced evictions across Assam. The protest was organized under the banner of the Land Rights Joint Struggle Committee, drawing participants from Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Rabha Hasong, and several other regions of the state.
The demonstrators accused the government of prioritizing corporate interests over the rights of indigenous and landless citizens. Holding placards and chanting slogans, participants called for an end to “unjust land seizures” and the implementation of policies ensuring equitable distribution of land among marginalized communities.
“This protest is not just about land it’s about identity, security, and the right to live with dignity,” said one of the organisers.
Key Demands Raised
Speakers at the event outlined several demands, including:
- Immediate halt to all forced evictions and planned land acquisitions for corporate projects.
- Implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, in letter and spirit.
- Land surveys and redistribution to ensure fair ownership for the landless.
- Compensation and rehabilitation for evicted families.
- Protection of tribal belts and blocks from encroachment and privatization.
The protest also served as a platform for intellectuals, student leaders, and rights activists to voice concerns over what they described as “the systematic erosion of people’s rights over land and resources.”
Voices from the Ground
The rally saw participation from Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, and noted scholar Hiren Gohain, among others. Each speaker emphasized the need for unity among tribal and non-tribal communities to resist corporate encroachment and to demand transparent land policies from the state government.
“Assam’s people must stand together because once land is gone, so is our identity,” said one activist during the address.
Event Summary
- Event: Land Rights Protest Rally
- Date: October 12, 2025
- Venue: Chachal, Guwahati
- Organized by: Land Rights Joint Struggle Committee
- Participants: Representatives from Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Rabha Hasong & others
- Objective: Stop evictions, protect tribal belts, and demand land rights for the landless
