48-Hours Bandh Announced in Margherita Over Tirap Protected Class Row

The Assam government’s recent move to extend “protected class” status to several non-tribal groups within the Tirap Tribal Belt has sparked a storm of protest from indigenous organisations, who allege the decision violates constitutional safeguards and endangers the future of smaller tribal communities.

Through a Cabinet decision dated 18 August 2025 and formalised in Notification Memo No. ECF.647686/1/1211687/2025/A, the government accorded protected status to communities including the Ahom, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, Chutia, Tea Tribes, and Gorkhas.

CCTOA Announces Legal and Democratic Fight

The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has strongly opposed the move, declaring it will not accept the notification “under any circumstances.” Copies of the notification will be burnt across the state on August 21, while a legal challenge is being prepared in the Gauhati High Court.

“This decision has been taken keeping Tirap’s sons of the soil in darkness. It has pushed the indigenous people into danger and will not be tolerated. Alongside the legal battle, we will continue democratic movements,” CCTOA convener Aditya Khaklary said during a press conference here in Guwahati on Wednesday.

CCTOA also alleged that although the committee was earlier called for land verification and survey in the region, the final decision was taken without informing or consulting them.

Bandh and Blockade Announced

As part of its agitation, CCTOA and eight allied tribal organisations have announced a series of protest programmes. From August 23, they will enforce an economic blockade in Tinsukia's Margherita, followed by a 48-hour bandh on August 23 and 24.

The bandh will coincide with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s scheduled visit to Margherita on August 24, during which tribal organisations have warned of a complete shutdown in Margherita and adjoining areas of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

Historic Context of Tirap Belt

The Tirap Tribal Belt was constituted on 13 March 1951 under government notification No. TAD/REV/73/50/43. It has historically been inhabited by the Singpho, Tangsa, Khamti, Khamyang, Tai-Phake, Aiton, Turung, Mising, Sonowal Kachari, Deori, Bodo, Mech, and Rabha, among others.

Tribal organisations argue that granting protected class status to large non-tribal groups defeats the very purpose of Tribal Belts and Blocks, which were introduced to safeguard indigenous land rights.

They further pointed out that within the Tribal Belt, communities such as Nepali cowherds, Bengali Namasudras, Sutradhaars, Scheduled Castes, Chowtal Mundas and OBCs had already been recognised as protected. The inclusion of more non-tribal groups, they allege, will accelerate the marginalisation of indigenous tribes.

Allegations of Human Rights Violation

The organisations have gone further to accuse the state of “clandestinely violating human rights” by bypassing the spirit of Tribal Belt notifications.

“The Assam government has betrayed its own indigenous people while appeasing outsiders for political gain. Today, those identified as Bangladeshis or ‘Miya Muslims’ are being promoted in Assam, while the land and social rights of indigenous tribals are being completely ignored,” a joint statement by the organisations said.

UN Declaration Invoked

The groups also invoked the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which stipulates that the cultural and land rights of indigenous inhabitants must be protected wherever they live. They accused the state of ignoring these obligations in favour of political expediency.

“This is nothing short of betrayal,” said Nongpion Gungi of the Singpho Students’ Union. “While the government speaks of protecting indigenous rights, it has ignored the very tribes who have lived in Tirap for centuries.”

Tensions Ahead of CM’s Visit

With the bandh call overlapping the Chief Minister’s official programme in Margherita, the region is bracing for heightened tensions. Tribal organisations have warned that the town and its surrounding areas will come to a standstill on August 24.

Also Read: Is Assam’s New Protected List in ‘Tirap Belt’ Against the Interest of Micro Tribes?