Assam: Government's move to rehabilitate Laika Dadhia people sparks protest

Various students organisations today along with local residents of Paharpur held a protest against the Assam government's move to relocate the people of Laika Dadhia to Paharpur. Today a silent protest was held by the All Assam Sema Students Organisation, the All Adivasi Students Association of Assam, the All Assam Tangsa Students Union and the local residents of the Paharphur area, which falls under the Margherita constituency in Tinsukia district. 

The protestors carried placards and carried out the silent protest in opposition to the rehabilitation of the displaced people of Laika Dadhia to Paharpur. The local residents, who mostly comprise of Sema Nagas, warned the government from carrying out any rehabilitation plans in Paharpur.

"We have been living here even before India attained independence. Our ancestors have given their blood and sweat to protect this land and we have been living here till now. We will never agree to Assam government taking our lands in Paharpur and giving them off to others in the name of rehabilitation. We strongly oppose this move. And if the government tries to forcefully rehabilitate others on our land, our homes and our farms, then this will lead to a conflict. This will lead to war and bloodshed. The government will be responsible for that," said Khekoto Sema, a community leader. 

Another local resident also echoed similiar sentiments and said, "We have always been living here, and we will never allow our lands to be given to others in the name of rehabilitation. Inspite of our objections, if the Assam government and the forest department try to rehabilitate people here forcefully, then there will be a major crisis. And for this the government and the forest department will be responsible."

It may be mentioned here that the state forest department had issued a circular regarding rehabilitation of the displaced people of Laika Dadhia at Paharpur for which Sema Naga tribes, residing at Paharpur for ages, are in terror of fearing losing their ancestral lands.