Guwahati: A delegation of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Monday visited Guwahati Central Jail and met land rights activist Aditya Chandra Rabha, alleging that his arrest was part of a broader attempt by the BJP-led state government to suppress voices advocating for the land rights of indigenous communities.
The delegation, led by Congress leader Mira Borthakur and ST Morcha president Nirmal Langthasa, met Rabha inside the jail before speaking to reporters outside.
Addressing the media, the Congress leaders claimed that Rabha had been leading protests for nearly a year demanding protection of indigenous land rights. They alleged that he was arrested in connection with an old case before being remanded to judicial custody.
The delegation further alleged that the state government was targeting individuals raising concerns over land rights and eviction-related issues. Referring to the recent arrest of indigenous and land rights activist Pranab Doley, who was remanded to seven days’ police custody on Monday, they claimed the two cases reflected a pattern of action against leaders associated with Assam’s land rights movement.
Criticising the government’s approach, the Congress leaders alleged that democratic voices were being silenced through legal action against activists. They also expressed concern over the state’s policies on land, education and language, claiming these could have long-term implications for Assam’s indigenous communities.
Rabha, who serves as an adviser to the Barduar Bagan Bhumi Pattan Dabi Samiti and spokesperson of the Nikhil Rabha Jatiya Parishad, has been at the forefront of protests against the proposed Satellite Township project at Barduar near Palasbari. Campaigners have alleged that the project threatens the land rights of indigenous communities.
He was arrested on the evening of July 9 in connection with a case alleging financial irregularities in a cooperative small savings bank.
Rabha’s arrest has also drawn condemnation from the Bhumi Adhikar Joutha Sangram Samiti (Joint Action Committee for Land Rights), which alleged that the case was politically motivated and intended to weaken Assam’s land rights movement.
In a statement issued on July 10, the committee claimed the state government was attempting to create divisions among indigenous communities by targeting grassroots leaders.
“The tribal and indigenous people of Assam have been demanding their rightful land and have launched democratic protests across different parts of the state. Threatened by this movement, the government has jailed a grassroots leader like Aditya Chandra Rabha on false pretexts,” the committee said.
The organisation demanded Rabha’s immediate release and urged the Assam government to end what it described as the suppression of democratic movements advocating public rights.
According to the committee, Rabha was arrested in connection with allegations of financial irregularities in a cooperative small savings bank. It claimed the two complainants had no association with the institution and alleged that the case was politically motivated and registered on complaints lodged by local BJP supporters.