Tribal Organisations Protest in Kokrajhar, Demand Protection of Land Rights in BTR

KOKRAJHAR, October 9, 2026 — The BTR Co-ordination Committee of Tribal Organizations staged a three-hour sit-in protest at the Kokrajhar Government HS and MP School playground on Thursday, demanding stronger protection of tribal land rights and enforcement of existing legal safeguards in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

Following the protest, the organisations submitted a memorandum to BTC Chief Hagrama Mohilary and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through the Kokrajhar district commissioner, outlining their demands.

Holding placards, the protesters demanded immediate protection of tribal land rights, enforcement of Chapter X of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886, and eviction of encroachers from Tribal Belts and Blocks in the BTR.

They also called for implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, waiver of land premiums for tribals in the BTR, and effective protection of notified Tribal Belts and Blocks in the region.

Representatives and members of several tribal organisations participated in the protest, including the BTR Coordination Committee of Tribal Sangha, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), All Rabha Students' Union, All Hajong Students' Union, All Garo Students' Union and Rabha Sahitya Sabha.

A protester said the state must take decisive steps to protect Tribal Belts and Blocks, reiterating the demand for enforcement of existing land laws and eviction of encroachers from protected areas.