Guwahati: The Assam government has excluded the Kiling Forest area in Morigaon district from the proposed satellite township near the upcoming Tata Semiconductor plant in Jagiroad, formally dropping plans to rehabilitate and resettle residents of five forest villages that had become the focal point of sustained opposition from tribal organisations and residents.
An official communication issued by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) on June 24 stated that the proposed industrial township would now be planned only in the erstwhile Nagaon Paper Mill area. According to the letter, the project will comprise land belonging to the Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), GMDA and government land located behind the Dalmia Cement factory near Junbeel.
The letter, addressed to the Morigaon Deputy Commissioner and signed by GMDA Chief Executive Officer Anbamuthan M.P. said the decision was taken in accordance with directions issued by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
“It is clarified that the Kiling Forest area (Sindhisar, Bihita, Naldhara, Roumari etc.) is no more part of the proposed Industrial Township project,” the communication said.
It added that the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) process for residents of the Kiling Forest area “need not be pursued” in connection with the project.
The clarification marks a significant shift in the government’s approach to the proposed satellite township, which is intended to support the upcoming Tata Semiconductor Project in Jagiroad.
The proposal had earlier envisaged a township spread across nearly 2,700 bighas, covering forest villages including Sindhisar, Naldhara, Bihita, Palashbari and Rowmari, located along the fringes of the Kiling Forest.
The plan triggered widespread concern among residents, who fear the loss of agricultural land and forests that they said they had helped regenerate over the years. Tribal organisations also raised objections, arguing that the proposed acquisition threaten the land rights of indigenous communities and could lead to the displacement.
On June 11, several tribal organisations staged a sit-in protest at Chachal in Guwahati, demanding that the government withdraw the proposal to establish the satellite township. Scores of protesters participated in the demonstration, expressing concern over the potential impact on customary land ownership and the livelihoods of local communities.
The protests followed a survey initiated by the Morigaon district administration to prepare proposals for rehabilitation and resettlement in connection with the township project. According to a public notice issued by Additional District Commissioner Anamika Tewari, the exercise was intended to facilitate the preparation of R&R proposals for residents of the affected villages.
However, following objections from various organisations, the Morigaon district administration cancelled the survey in May with immediate effect.
The latest GMDA communication formally confirms that the Kiling Forest settlements are no longer part of the proposed township, removing the need for rehabilitation and resettlement of residents under the project while confining the development to the former Nagaon Paper Mill area and adjoining government-owned land.