By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The BTC Co-ordination Committee of the All Assam Tribal Sangha has demanded immediate eviction of alleged encroachers from Tribal Belts, Blocks and forest lands across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
Addressing the media on Tuesday, leaders of the organisation alleged that encroachment on protected tribal and forest lands had increased in several parts of the BTC region, posing a threat to the land rights and security of indigenous communities.
The committee urged the authorities to implement the directives issued by the Gauhati High Court in PIL No. 78/2012 by removing illegal encroachments from Tribal Belts and Blocks.
The organisation also called for eviction of alleged illegal settlers occupying forest lands and demanded distribution of land pattas to genuine indigenous forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
A delegation of the BTC Co-ordination Committee submitted a memorandum containing a two-point charter of demands to former BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary.
Speaking to reporters, BTC Co-ordination Committee president Niranjan Brahma said immediate measures were necessary to safeguard the constitutional and traditional land rights of tribal communities in the region.