Since May 2025, tension has been brewing in Basbari village located in Parbatjhora sub-division of Assam's Kokrajhar district as residents have been vehemently protesting against the allocation of 3,400 bighas (454.85 hectares) to the Adani Group for a 3,200 MW thermal power plant in partnership with the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).
The land, part of the Paglijhora Protected Reserve Forest, is home to Bodo, Garo, Rabha and other local communities, who have lived there for generations.
Protests erupted due to the lack of community consultation, with locals alleging violations of provisions under the Sixth Schedule, Forest Rights Act, 2006, and Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The land transfer, initiated via letter No. BTC/LR/803/2025/18, dated 19 April 2025, has been criticized for bypassing stakeholder consultation, Gram Sabha consent and environmental clearances. Reportedly, the Sub Divisional Land Advisory Committee (SDLAC) approved the land allotment to APDCL on 9 April 2025, well before the Assam Cabinet even took a formal decision on 4 May 2025. Daorao Dekrab Narzary of Boroland Jan-Jati Suraksha Manch condemned the transfer, citing environmental risks like the loss of over 5 lakh trees and potential pollution.
On 15 June 2025, the protest intensified as locals clashed with political leaders and blocked the Gauripur-Banshbari PWD road. Protesters also warned of self immolation if their land is taken over by the government.
The community alleges that the allocation breaches the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which grants the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) authority over land management but excludes reserved forests like Paglijhora. Additionally, forest rights were accorded to indigenous people over 280 hectares of this land in April 2025, requiring Gram Sabha consent for any diversion. Meanwhile, Subrata Talukdar of the Joint Land Struggles Committee accused the government of favouring corporate interests over tribal rights.
The Adani Group, as part of its Rs 50,000 crore investment in Assam, plans to invest an estimated Rs 20,000 crore in this project, based on industry standards for a 3,200 MW plant. However, the company has not publicly addressed the allegations of legal violations or community opposition.
On 17 June 2025, BTC chief Pramod Boro assured that no indigenous land would be taken, promising to address demarcation issues and highlighting the project’s potential to create 8,000–10,000 jobs. However, distrust among the community persists, with protests continuing despite basic assurances. The residents have warned of statewide action if the land transfer proceeds. No court cases or human rights violations have been reported so far, but the situation remains volatile.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Opposition against environmental degradation
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Relocation of the project to alternative sites to preserve farmlands and forests.
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
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?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
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 underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence, Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Other environmental services, Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
No
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
20000
Type of investment:
Investment Expected
Year of Estimation
2025
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
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.
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
No
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:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation of free prior informed consent
Violation of environmental laws
Non-implementation/violation of FRA
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Kokrajhar district administration, Assam State government
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL)
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Adani Group (Adani Power)
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Bodo, Garo, Rabha communities; Bodoland Tribal Protection Forum (BTPF), Nikhil Bharat Krishak Sabha (AIKS), All India Youth Federation (AIYF), Bodo National Students Union (BONSU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Parishad, Joint Land Struggles Committee, Assam
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
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?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
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?
