Latest news with #Rabhas
Scroll.in
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Land ‘illegally' held by Assam CM will be returned to poor if Congress voted to power, says party
The Congress will redistribute land that has been' illegally ' occupied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his cabinet ministers if it is voted to power in the 2026 Assembly elections, PTI quoted state party president Gaurav Gogoi as saying on Sunday. At a press conference in Guwahati, Gogoi alleged that the land had been acquired 'under the pretense of safeguarding land rights' and would be returned to 'the poor through a decision in the very first cabinet meeting of the new Congress government'. Elections for Assam's 126 Assembly seats are likely to be held in March or April next year. The Congress leader also claimed that the people of Assam have become disillusioned with the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, PTI reported. He added that it was his duty to fulfill the declaration made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Sarma would be put behind bars if the party comes to power in Assam. Gogoi also accused the Sarma government of targeting linguistic and religious minorities through eviction drives against tribal communities, including the Bodos, Tiwas, Karbis, Rabhas and Misings. He added that such drives were being carried out in violation of the court orders, PTI reported. Gogoi's comments come amid a series of 'anti-encroachment' operations carried out by the Sarma government in recent months. Since June 16, seven major eviction drives have taken place in Assam. Since then, about 5,300 families, mostly Bengali-origin Muslims, have been displaced from their homes. On July 24, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a contempt petition against Assam's chief secretary and Goalpara district authorities for alleged violations of the court's earlier guidelines on eviction and demolition drives.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gogoi: ECI's neutrality questionable, oppn wants talks in House
Guwahati: Deputy leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha and Assam PCC president Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday expressed concerns over the neutrality of the , stating that there is a question mark in the minds of the people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gogoi said the govt needs to accept the demand of the opposition parties, which are seeking a discussion in Parliament on the matter of the revision of the voter list. Speaking to the media prior to the extended executive meeting of Assam Congress in Guwahati, Gogoi highlighted that the opposition is insisting on an open discussion in Parliament regarding the voter list, the revision of which generated political controversy in Bihar. He emphasised the need for such a discussion to ensure transparency for the common people. Gogoi said common people have to roam around to gather polling station details and resolve other queries, and alleged that there were instances where voters discovered their names were missing from the voter list upon arriving at polling stations. "All the questions raised regarding voter lists should be discussed inside the Parliament. But the govt says they cannot reply, citing that EC is not linked to any department. What type of logic is this?" questioned Gogoi. He further said if PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have a role in the appointment of the chief election commissioner, then there should be no issue in discussing the EC's decisions in Parliament. "Today the common people doubt the neutral role that should be played by EC. We want to discuss this, but the govt is acting in such a way that it is trying to hide something," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He questioned whether by avoiding discussion of election-related issues in Parliament, the govt is attempting to downplay allegations of manipulation in the last assembly polls and Lok Sabha election. During the extended executive meeting of Assam PCC held in the city, an economic and significant political proposal was adopted. The economic proposal outlined a plan for the overall development of Assam, economic reforms, addressing the 'debt-ridden' situation of Assam, job creation, and ensuring equitable growth and justice for all citizens through economic transformation. In a press conference following the meeting, Gogoi said people in Assam are frustrated with the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led govt. He alleged that linguistic and religious minorities face injustice under BJP, and communities such as Bodos, Tiwas, Karbis, Rabhas, and Mishings are being harassed in the name of eviction. From Sept, Congress will commence organisational work and programmes against 'BJP's corruption'. Gogoi also announced that on Aug 15, Congress will hold a Tricolour march at the district and block levels.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kulsi dam, Barduar township face uncertainty amid protests
1 2 3 Guwahati: Two major projects planned by the Assam govt — a 55-MW hydel project on the Kulsi river, and the proposed Barduar satellite township, both near Guwahati — face possible cancellation. The hydel project was planned in collaboration with Meghalaya govt. On Sunday, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma told mediapersons, on the sidelines of a programme, that the proposed hydel project in the upper reaches of the Kulsi river, along the Assam-Meghalaya border, would not proceed if residents continue to oppose it. He also addressed concerns surrounding the Barduar township, planned in and around the British-era tea garden in Kamrup district, saying the project would be abandoned if it faces public resistance. Both initiatives have drawn strong opposition from local tribal communities and several political and apolitical groups, who are concerned about the possible "displacement of indigenous families" — particularly due to the proposed Kulsi power project. Sarma criticised the ongoing protests, saying, "There are some people who love protesting. We, the two chief ministers (Sarma and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma), want to build the dam for public benefit, to provide irrigation water. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo If they don't want it, they can just say so. But instead, there are speeches, protests, and the emergence of new leaders — this has damaged Assam." Regarding the proposed Kulsi dam, earlier, Sarma said local opinions would be taken into account before finalising the project, which could displace around 10 villages if executed. On the Barduar township project on Guwahati's outskirts, Sarma said the govt would not proceed against public will. "The same is the case with the proposed Barduar township. We've informed the assembly that if the people there oppose it, the township won't be built. Yet protests continue. What should we do with such agitators? I can't stop them from agitating," he added. Previously, several organisations led by the All Rabha Students' Union wrote to the Kamrup district commissioner, urging issuance of land pattas (documents) to long-settled indigenous communities in the Barduar area. They fear eviction if the township is developed. They said the project would hamper the movement of Rabhas for achieving its prime goal of enlisting the Rabha-inhabited areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for greater autonomy. They also argued that the proposed project would pose a negative impact on community's socio-economic well-being, language, culture, and traditional livelihoods.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Animal parts near places of worship: Gaurav for probe
1 2 3 Guwahati: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Friday called for an inquiry to identify those responsible for placing animal body parts in public spaces and near places of worship across Assam in recent past. "Investigations should be conducted against all those arrested for placing these items. Additionally, the probe should target those who came up with the idea and made the initial suggestions," he said. Responding to political opponents' claims that his appointment as state party president had prompted certain groups to engage in activities risking communal harmony, Gogoi rejected these assertions. "Elections are approaching. Our objective is to prevent anyone from creating communal tensions here. We have observed the situation in Manipur caused due to BJP. We will not allow it in Assam," he added. He questioned Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma about the implementation status of union home minister Amit Shah's initiative to construct ponds for flood mitigation in the state. "Where have the ponds been dug? We have been searching for them; we want to see," he said. "The CM had said he would donate his land, but we are witnessing the land of Bodos, Rabhas, Karbis and Misings being appropriated," he claimed. Gogoi said that citizens require governmental responses regarding unemployment and the Barak Valley's infrastructure deficiencies, amongst other issues. "Congress is for everyone. We are protesting inhuman evictions, the persistent D-voter problem in the Barak Valley, and the non-granting of ST status to six communities. We are standing up for the people," he said.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Proposed Barduar satellite township sparks uproar, Rabha groups protest ‘land takeover'
Guwahati: The proposed 1500-acre Barduar satellite township development in Kamrup district's Palasbari revenue circle is facing opposition from Rabha organisations and indigenous community groups. The area, comprising tea gardens, paddy fields, wetlands and forests near the Meghalaya hills, has become a point of contention among its residents. Following the chief minister's office announcement about Himanta Biswa Sarma's review of urban infrastructure projects valued at USD 1 billion with GMDA and DoHUA officials, the All Rabha Students' Union (Arsu) raised objections. Despite heavy rainfall, hundreds of locals, along with Sangrami Krishak Sramik Sangha (SKSS), staged a protest march in Mirza on Wednesday, culminating at the Palasbari revenue circle office. Arsu's Kamrup district committee presented their grievances to the district commissioner through a memorandum, seeking land pattas for indigenous tribal families in Barduar tea estate's revenue villages 1, 2, and 3. Arsu Kamrup district secretary Ashok Nongbag said, "The message of establishing a satellite township in Barduar has sparked panic among the indigenous population in the Barduar area and surrounding villages. This project hampers the movement of the Rabhas for achieving its prime goal of enlisting the Rabha inhabited areas in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for greater autonomy, besides posing a negative impact on the socio-economic, daily livelihood, language, culture, and traditions of the indigenous communities in the Barduar area." The memorandum highlighted that approximately 2,100 families could face displacement from the proposed township. SKSS leader Dinesh Das advocated for prioritising land rights for riots and landless peasant families. The groups demanded title certificates under the Forest Rights Act 2006 for indigenous tribal families residing in Barduar's forest areas. Records show that Barduar was a significant kingdom in 16th-century Kamrup district under Rabha rule. Arsu cited Mirza Nathan's Baharistan-I-Ghaibi, documenting Barduar's prominence until Batuwa kings' reign. Tea cultivation began in 1861 under British rule, without proper land settlements for indigenous inhabitants. The memorandum read, "In 1922, the British govt handed over a vast area in Barduar to Tea & Timber Company without giving land rights to the indigenous families living in the same area." The protesters vowed to continue their opposition, reminiscent of their past resistance to NDRF training camps and metropolitan expansion proposals in this tribal-protected region.
