Guwahati: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has raised alarm over growing economic hardship and livelihood insecurity among the state’s tribal communities, pointing to alleged encroachment and denial of tribal land and forest rights as key factors.
The party said these issues will be central to its manifesto for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, expected in March–April 2026.
A detailed report prepared by the Congress Core Scheduled Tribe (ST) Study Group was submitted to APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, according to a party statement.
The group, led by APCC general secretary Nirmal Langthasa, was formed after a November 2025 meeting with leaders from ST-majority constituencies including Dimoria, Boko, Dudhnoi, and Goalpara West.
Its purpose was to examine the long-standing challenges, demands, and aspirations of tribal communities for inclusion in the party’s election platform.
The Study Group conducted extensive field visits across these constituencies, holding discussions with tribal organisations, NGOs, and individual representatives of groups such as Rabha, Garo, Bodo, Hajong, Amri Karbi, Tiwa, and Mising.
The report identified alleged violations and alienation of tribal land and forest resources—such as transfers to non-tribals, outsiders, and business entities, as a primary cause of traditional livelihoods being threatened and economic marginalisation worsening.
Other concerns highlighted included inadequate political representation, erosion of indigenous culture, and weakening of tribal identity. Communities called for urgent measures to protect tribal lands and forests and provide legal land titles to genuine tribal forest dwellers.
Additional demands included establishing a tribal university to promote indigenous education and research, granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Amri Karbi community, and incorporating the remaining 312 Bodo revenue villages into the Boro Kachar Welfare Autonomous Council.
Tribal groups also urged the creation of Development Councils for plains tribal communities currently without such institutions, to ensure equitable development, welfare planning, and political representation.
The APCC said the findings of the Study Group would guide the party’s election strategy and form the basis of a “strong, inclusive, and tribal-focused” manifesto for the Assam Assembly elections in 2026.