A dispute over land near Assam’s Kaziranga National Park has intensified over a proposed luxury hotel, with local Adivasi families opposing the project while the state government has maintained that the land is government-owned. The dispute centres on Inglay Pathar, where families say they have cultivated portions of the land for generations. In June, 20 Adivasi families approached the Gauhati High Court over the proposed project, with the court issuing notice to the Assam Tourism Development Corporation.
The dispute escalated after indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley was arrested in July in connection with a June 28 protest against the project. He was granted bail on July 29, but the Assam government invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against him the next day, keeping him in detention. On August 22, the Bhumi Adhikar Joutha Sangram Samiti submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking Doley’s release, withdrawal of cases against protesters and cancellation of the proposed hotel project.
Locals Challenge Project
The dispute centres on agricultural land at Inglay Pathar, near Kaziranga. Down To Earth reported in June that 20 Adivasi families had approached the Gauhati High Court, alleging that agricultural land cultivated by their families for generations had been earmarked for a luxury hotel. The court issued notice to the Assam Tourism Development Corporation and sought its response. Residents have said they have documents relating to their cultivation and land claims.
The government has disputed the residents’ position on the land. EastMojo reported that the Assam government maintains that the land belongs to the state and has earmarked portions of the area for a proposed hotel and a Tea Tribes Museum. Residents and activists, meanwhile, have said families have cultivated the land for generations and have opposed its use for the proposed project.
Protest Leads Detention
The dispute intensified following a June 28 protest against the proposed hotel. Police subsequently arrested Doley and other activists in connection with the protest. The Indian Express reported that the police case included allegations of unlawful assembly, criminal trespass, rioting, obstruction of a public servant and criminal intimidation. Doley and his supporters have disputed the allegations.
A sessions court granted Doley bail on July 29. The Indian Express reported that the court noted a prima facie absence of video footage supporting some of the allegations and that no deadly weapon had been seized during the investigation. The Assam government invoked the NSA against Doley on July 30, stating that his activities were prejudicial to the maintenance of public order and the security of the state.
The latest development came on August 22, when the Bhumi Adhikar Joutha Sangram Samiti submitted a memorandum to the Assam chief minister. The organisation demanded Doley’s unconditional release, withdrawal of cases against him and his associates, and cancellation of the proposed hotel project. It also called for government attempts to evict Adivasi families who it said had been residing and cultivating the land for generations to be stopped. These are demands made by the organisation and are not presented as established findings.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The dispute highlights the difficult balance between development and the rights of communities living around Kaziranga. Tourism projects can bring economic opportunities, but when land rights are contested, affected communities need a transparent process through which their claims can be examined. At the same time, allegations against protesters and the government’s reasons for invoking the NSA should be addressed through due process and transparent legal proceedings.
Meaningful consultation, clear land records and peaceful dialogue can help prevent disagreements over land and development from becoming deeper social conflicts. Can Assam find a way to pursue tourism development while ensuring that local communities are heard and their legitimate claims are fairly examined?
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