On 13 February 2025, hundreds of residents from Barduar Bagan village in the Palasbari circle of Assam's Kamrup district staged a protest against the state government's plan to allot 1,500 acres of land from the Barduar Tea Estate to the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) for the construction of a Satellite Township under the 'Advantage Assam' initiative.
The demonstrators, comprising members of various tribal communities, claimed that they had lived on this land for over a century and demanded the government intervene and prevent the eviction. Meanwhile, the Barduar Bagan Land Pattani Demand Committee alleged that the proposed township would violate the rights of indigenous landholders under the Assam (Temporarily Settled Areas) Tenancy Act, 1971, and lead to irreversible environmental degradation.
Local organisations, while addressing the media in the protest rallies, said, "The government promised to grant land entitlements to the communities under the mission Basundhara 3.0, but despite our consistent appeals, around 1000 bighas of land are conspired to be transferred to the private companies."
Basundhara
On 19 May 2025, 114 tenant families from the Barduar Tea Garden area under Palasbari Revenue Circle formally submitted applications under the Assam (Temporarily Settled Areas) Tenancy Act, 1971, seeking permanent settlement of the land they have inhabited for generations. The Circle Officer noted that this re-survey is based on updated data and aims to correct past oversights in land documentation. Additionally, the General Manager of the concerned revenue department personally visited the area to collect comprehensive information on land usage and occupancy, reinforcing the seriousness of the government’s renewed scrutiny. Officials revealed that the Barduar Tea & Timber Co Ltd., originally leased in 1922 for a 99-year period, technically expired in 2022.
On World Indigenous Peoples' Day, Govinda Rabha of the Barduar Bagan Land Pattani Demand Committee stated: "We indigenous people don't want guns — we want land pattas. We demand land rights and an end to evictions." The committee submitted tenancy forms to the Revenue Circle Officer of Palasbari, asserting their legal rights.
According to media reports, more than [3,000 people](https://www.hornbilltv.com/north_east_stories/locals-launch-massive-protest-against-assam-government’s-eviction-move- -8906) from tea tribes, as well as the Rabha and Boro communities, have been living in ten villages within the Palasbari circle.
Several organisations, including the All India Farmers Committee, the Land Rights Joint Struggle Committee, the Assam Land Protection Council, the Garia-Maria Jatiya Parishad, Nikhil Rabha Satra Sangha, Kamrup District Rabha Satra Sangha, and women's groups, have jointly held several protests opposing the eviction.
Many local leaders have expressed their intent to escalate the struggle if the government's plans are not reversed. "We will shed blood but not part with our land," they stated, standing united against the government's perceived targeting of Indigenous people.
While the Chief Minister clarified that the area may only be considered for land acquisition to "regularise tribal habitation, not for eviction or private sale," the Assam Budget 2025-26 announced intentions to develop Barduar as a satellite township. The Supreme Court's August 2025 order granting status quo on evictions in Assam provides temporary relief, but the conflict remains unresolved as indigenous communities continue their struggle for permanent land rights.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Demand for legal recognition of land rights
Demand to cancel the project
Refusal to give up land for the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
1. Immediate scrapping of the proposed Barduar Satellite Township project. 2. Granting of land pattas (titles) to all indigenous families who have lived on the tea garden land for generations. 3. Recognition of tenancy rights under the Assam (Temporarily Settled Areas) Tenancy Act, 1971. 4. Protection of indigenous habitation rather than eviction or private sale. 5. Full land rights for all residents, not token allotments of 5 decimal patta land
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
1
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Out on bail
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
Yes, they were produced within 24 hours
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
Yes they were informed, Yes they had access
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Yes
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
No
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Dwelling/habitation use, Agricultural land, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Other livelihood purposes, Water bodies
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
• Multiple reports of sustained protests, public meetings, and memoranda by the Barduar / Borduar Bagan Land Patta Demand Committee and allied groups (2025–2026). • Temporary halt to measurement and demarcation assured by Palasbari Co-District Commissioner after December 2025 meeting with the committee. • CM Assembly statements (June 2025) acknowledging opposition and stating no forced eviction of genuine tribals + possible pattas or drop if opposed. • Continued community insistence on formal project withdrawal and full permanent rights (reports through mid-2026, including after the July 2026 arrest and subsequent bail of committee adviser Adit Chandra Rabha).
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Other, Case Laws, Land Reform Laws, Land Reform Laws
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Lack of legal protection over land rights
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Arrest/detention/imprisonment
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Yes
Reported Details of the Violation:
Adit Chandra Rabha (also referred to as Aditya Rabha / Aditya Chandra Rabha), adviser to the Borduar / Barduar Bagan Bhumi Potton Daabi Xomiti (Land Patta Demand Committee), was arrested in connection with his role in mobilising local communities against the proposed satellite township project on Barduar Tea Estate land. Land rights organisations and opposition parties alleged the arrest was intended to target and suppress the land rights movement opposing displacement of indigenous (primarily Rabha and other tribal) communities.
Date of Violation
July 8, 2026
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Co-District Commissioner Rashmi Baruah Gogoi and Circle Officer Dr Angkita Sharma; Government of Assam, Assam Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Kamrup District Administration
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Asian Development Bank
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Barduar Bagan Land Patta Demand Committee (also referred to in different reports as the “Land Pattani Demand Committee” or “Bhumi Pattan Demand Committee); Adivasi Students’ Union, Aditya Rabha (Chief Advisor), Gobinda Rabha (President), Gajen Chandra Rabha (Convenor), Aditya Nag (Secretary), Umakanta Rabha (senior Congress worker/community voice); Pakhiraj Rabha and Jyotish Rabha (committee members); All India Farmers Committee, Land Rights Joint Struggle Committee, Assam Land Protection Council, Garia-Maria Jatiya Parishad, Nikhil Rabha Satra Sangha, Kamrup District Rabha Satra Sangha, Barduar-Bholagaon Regional Rabha Satra Sangha, and the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee; Debajit Napha (Nikhil Rabha Students’ Union central committee member); Nikhil Rabha Jatiya Parishad (NRJP); Sangrami Krishak-Shramik Sangha and Anti-Eviction Land Rights Struggle Committee (Allied organisation)
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
1
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Out on bail
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
Yes, they were produced within 24 hours
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
Yes they were informed, Yes they had access
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Yes
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
