Residents of South Kamrup have intensified their opposition to the Assam government’s proposed land acquisition for Adani’s Aerocity and Satellite Township projects, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the plan, which they claim threatens the livelihood and existence of over one lakh people.
Addressing a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club on Saturday, representatives of the Dakshin Kamrup Eviction Resistance Land Rights Struggle Committee and the Sangrami Krishak-Shramik Sangh alleged that the government is planning to acquire more than 6,000 bighas of land across 16 revenue villages under the Azara and Palashbari revenue circles for the proposed projects.
The organisations claimed that thousands of indigenous families, who have lived in the region for generations, are living under fear and uncertainty over the possibility of losing their ancestral land. They accused the government of prioritising corporate interests over the rights of local people.
Sangrami Krishak-Shramik Sangh chief secretary Dinesh Das said the proposed acquisition includes 2,662 bighas in Pachaniyapara, Matikutuni, Jobe, Deorali, Jangalipara and Kamargaon under Azara revenue circle, 2,211 bighas in Maliyata, Sathikarpam and Lochana, and 1,096 bighas in Khela Allibari under Palashbari revenue circle. He alleged that efforts are also underway to acquire land in Sajjanpara, Rajapanichanda, Andherijuli, Rangapara and Kachari Allibari for township development.
The organisations warned that the projects would destroy fertile agricultural land, displace farming communities and threaten the socio-economic fabric of the region. They asserted that while they were willing to provide land for public infrastructure such as educational institutions and hospitals, they would not surrender land for private corporate projects.
The groups further alleged that the government had stopped collecting land revenue from long-time occupants as part of a strategy to facilitate acquisition of their land. Memorandums have been submitted to the Governor, Chief Minister, local MLAs and the Chief Executive Member of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council seeking cancellation of the proposal.
The organisations also criticised several regional and national organisations for remaining silent on the issue and urged them to support the affected people.
Meanwhile, committee president Dharmeswar Boro claimed that around 500 families had already been evicted from nearly 735 bighas of land in Pachaniyapara, Deorali, Jangalipara and Kamargaon without adequate compensation or rehabilitation. He said the people of the region had earlier surrendered land for railway projects, Assam Rifles establishments and National Highway-17, leaving little cultivable land.
The organisations placed a nine-point charter of demands before the government, including cancellation of the proposed land acquisition, withdrawal of the Aerocity and Satellite Township projects, protection of agricultural land and tribal belt areas, rehabilitation of evicted families, grant of land pattas to long-time residents, and conservation of wetlands in the Azara and Palashbari revenue circles.
Separately, Sustha Samaj Bikash Chakra also opposed the proposed satellite city project in Palashbari, Palli and Natun Gaon, alleging that it would displace local residents for corporate interests. The organisation termed the proposed eviction anti-people and unconstitutional, stating that it violates the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and appealed to political parties and civil society organisations to support the affected communities.
