The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) has launched a field inquiry into alleged land encroachment in the Tirap area of Assam’s Tinsukia district. The party raised concern over what it claims is systematic occupation of lands traditionally held by the Singpho indigenous community.
On July 15, a CPI(ML) delegation visited several affected villages, where locals detailed how outside actors had fenced off or illegally transferred land. The party has urged the Assam government to step in and uphold the legal and cultural rights of the community.
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CPI(ML) Probes Tirap Land Encroachment in Assam
The CPI(ML) fact-finding team was led by senior leader Dhrubajyoti Gogoi and included lawyers, social activists, and local media representatives. They documented evidence of unauthorized construction and fencing in multiple areas under the jurisdiction of the Singpho community.
“This isn’t just a property issue. It’s an attack on an indigenous group’s identity and autonomy,” Gogoi said. The Tirap land encroachment Assam case, according to CPI(ML), should be seen as a human rights issue, not just a land conflict.
Encroachment Threatens Singpho Cultural Integrity
The Singpho ethnic group, spread across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, has voiced concerns for months. They allege that outsiders, backed by political or economic influence, are attempting to take control of ancestral lands in Ketetong, Borkhelia, and Tipong.
“We have cultivated and protected this land for generations. Now it’s being taken away without consent,” said a resident during the CPI(ML) field visit. Villagers also reported that local authorities had not acted despite repeated complaints.
According to CPI(ML), the Tirap land encroachment Assam situation requires urgent legal intervention and on-ground verification.
CPI(ML) Submits Memo to Tinsukia Authorities
After their visit, CPI(ML) representatives submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia. The party called for a district-level investigation and the establishment of a task force to review land records and halt ongoing encroachments.
“This is not a time for delay. Every day lost pushes the community further into uncertainty,” Gogoi told the media. He insisted that government departments take the Tirap land encroachment Assam case seriously and act swiftly.
State Government Yet to Respond
As of now, the Assam government has not issued a formal statement. However, district officials have acknowledged receipt of the memorandum and assured that land-related grievances will be examined.
Rights activists have criticized the delay. Rajib Singha, a Tinsukia-based human rights advocate, said, “The Singpho people need more than words. They need protective laws enforced in full spirit.”
CPI(ML) has warned that if no concrete action follows, it will organize protests in collaboration with civil society networks.
Community’s Historical Contribution Overlooked
The Singpho community, known for its contributions to sustainable agriculture and early tea cultivation in Assam, has often been sidelined in policy decisions. Many in the community believe that this historical neglect makes them vulnerable to land grabs.
“The land is not just economic property for us—it holds spiritual, historical, and cultural value,” said one community elder. The Tirap land encroachment Assam issue has therefore triggered emotional and political outrage alike.
Rights Groups Offer Support
Several rights-based organizations, including the Assam Adivasi Forum and Northeast Indigenous Alliance, have expressed solidarity with the Singpho community. They demand that indigenous land rights be recognized and protected under constitutional safeguards.
Dipankar Nath from the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) said, “Assam cannot afford to lose its indigenous heritage to land greed. Protecting communities like Singpho is our duty.”
Many of these groups plan to join upcoming awareness drives in Tinsukia and surrounding areas.
CPI(ML) Plans Statewide Awareness Campaign
CPI(ML) has announced that it will organize a series of public meetings and legal awareness camps throughout Upper Assam. The aim is to educate local residents about land rights, legal protections, and the importance of resisting illegal occupation.
“We believe in democratic resolution. But we won’t stand down while an entire community is pushed out of its home,” Gogoi said. The Tirap land encroachment Assam issue, the party believes, could become a state-wide flashpoint if ignored.
The CPI(ML)’s investigation into the Tirap land encroachment Assam case has brought renewed attention to indigenous land rights and state accountability. With the Singpho community seeking immediate protection, and rights groups stepping in, the government faces pressure to act decisively. Whether this momentum leads to lasting reform will depend on how promptly and fairly the administration responds.
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