Cultivators’ organisation accuses Assam government of trying to take over grazing land for corporate interests
Farmers in Assam's Golaghat district are protesting the government's decision to plant oil palm on grazing land traditionally used by indigenous communities. The cultivators' organization claims the land was repurposed for corporate interests without local consent or environmental assessment.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing conflict between industrial agricultural expansion and the land rights of indigenous populations.
Farmers in Golaghat district of eastern Assam have opposed the State government's alleged push for oil palm on grazing land traditionally used by indigenous communities residing along the riverbanks.
The Jeepal Krishak Sramik Sangha, based in Bokakhat near the Kaziranga National Park, criticised Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika for threatening the livelihoods of people living along the Brahmaputra river and on its sandbars, allegedly for the benefit of the oil palm lobby.
The organisation said the State government was eyeing large swathes of riverine land at No. 1 Bokuli Sapori under the Bokakhat Assembly constituency. Asom Gana Parishad president Atul Bora, who is also the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, represents the constituency.
According to the organisation, locals have been using the land, reportedly earmarked for oil palm cultivation, for grazing cows and buffaloes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in