Organisation urges authorities to clear alleged illegal occupation from Tribal Belts, Blocks and forest areas in line with Gauhati High Court directives
Guwahati The BTC Co-ordination Committee of the All Assam Tribal Sangha on Tuesday called for immediate action against alleged encroachment on Tribal Belts, Blocks and forest lands across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
Addressing a press conference, leaders of the organisation claimed that protected tribal and forest areas in several parts of the BTC region were facing increasing pressure from illegal occupation, raising concerns over indigenous land rights and community security.
The committee urged the government to implement the directions issued by the Gauhati High Court in PIL No. 78/2012 and launch eviction measures in notified Tribal Belts and Blocks.
“We demand urgent intervention to protect the constitutional and traditional land rights of tribal communities,” BTC Co-ordination Committee president Niranjan Brahma said while speaking to reporters.
Apart from seeking removal of alleged encroachers, the organisation also demanded eviction of illegal settlers from forest areas and proper implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, for genuine indigenous forest dwellers.
Leaders said eligible tribal families living in forest areas should be granted land pattas under the provisions of the Act.
A delegation of the committee later submitted a memorandum containing a two-point charter of demands to former BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary.
The organisation warned that continued delay in addressing the issue could further intensify concerns surrounding land protection and indigenous rights in the BTR region.
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