Sonapur: Six tribal organisations have threatened to block National Highway-27 on October 5 over the proposed alignment of a high-voltage transmission line through a predominantly tribal belt of Sonapur, alleging that their objections have remained unresolved despite four years of representations.

The organisations, which have opposed the alignment over its potential impact on pattaland and agricultural holdings of tribal families, said that work on the project was continuing despite their objections and had, according to them, gathered pace.

At a press conference at Phong-Ari in Sonapur, leaders of the Amri Karbi National Council, Amri Karbi Students’ Union and four other tribal organisations said they had been approaching government offices and submitting memorandums since 2022, seeking a realignment that would spare community land.

The issue escalated on September 14 when hundreds of residents and members of the organisations marched from Digaru Bali Gate to the Dimoria Co-District Commissioner’s office. They submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through the Co-District Commissioner.

The leaders said officials subsequently assured them that the alignment would be reconsidered in a manner addressing the concerns of the affected communities. They alleged, however, that the assurance had not resulted in any change on the ground.

“We have been moving from one office to another since 2022 and have submitted repeated memorandums. We were assured that the alignment would be changed, but the work is continuing on the same route. If the situation leads to any law-and-order problem, the government will be responsible,” said Amri Karbi National Council president Upen Engti.

Amri Karbi Students’ Union leader Mahendra Terang said the organisations are not opposed to the power project but wants its alignment shifted to protect tribal land.

“We are not against the power line. Our demand is only that it be realigned so that the land rights of the community are protected. No amount of compensation can make us accept an alignment that destroys the little pattaland our people possess,” he said.

The organisations said the affected belt is predominantly inhabited by Karbi and other tribal communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. They claimed that tribal families in the area have limited pattaland and warned that unplanned infrastructure push could leave some families without land.

The leaders also accused the government of giving greater consideration to industrial and capitalist interests than to the concerns of tribal communities and farmers. They maintained that the dispute was primarily about land rights and livelihoods rather than compensation.

The transmission project, being implemented by the Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd (AEGCL), involves the 400/220/132/33-kV Sonapur GIS and associated high-voltage lines passing through 13 villages, including Nartap.

The proposed alignment has become the focus of opposition from the tribal organisations over its alleged impact on pattaland and agricultural holdings.

The organisations said the September 14 protest followed years of representations and warned that they would intensify the agitation if the alignment was not changed. The proposed October 5 NH-27 blockade is their next major programme.

The organisations reiterated that they support development and improved power infrastructure but want the transmission line alignment changed to protect the remaining landholdings of tribal families.