Guwahati, Assam, October 18 (HBTV): The rehabilitation of approximately 1,455 families from the Laika and Dodhia forest villages in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is facing challenges due to opposition from the All Assam Naga Welfare Society (AANWS).   

These families were set for relocation to Namphai and Paharpur Reserve Forest under the Jagun and Lekhapani ranges in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district. The AANWS represents approximately two lakh Naga people living across 12 districts of Assam.   

Addressing a press conference at the Freedom Fighters Rest House in Rup Nagar, Guwahati on Thursday, the AANWS president Shompha Wangshu clarified that while the Naga body has no objection to the rehabilitation of the displaced families, they strongly oppose the selection of Namphai and Paharpur areas. He stated that these areas are predominantly inhabited by Naga communities, and they would not accept the government’s proposal to relocate the families there. 

The opposition to the rehabilitation of Laika and Dodhia families by the Naga communities in Assam has intensified, with the Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee and 10 other ethnic organizations voicing strong concerns.

According to Wangshu, the group plans to meet Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to raise their concerns about the state's proposal. 

Wangshu highlighted that the proposed settlement of Mising families in the Paharpur area would adversely affect the demography, language, and culture of the Naga population that has been settled there since 1945.

“Paharpur and adjacent villages like Balijan and Feneng remain non-cadastral areas, meaning no formal land survey has been conducted, and tribal people living there are still denied land rights or patta," he said. 

“This lack of cadastral recognition has resulted in the deprivation of government benefits and services for the area's tribal residents,” he added. 

The rehabilitation of the Laika and Dodhia forest villages' families remains an ongoing and deeply contentious issue.   

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's declaration in March 2022 to upgrade the Tirap Belt to a reserve forest without consulting local tribal leaders has exacerbated tensions. The area, which includes tea gardens in Paharpur, is home to the Nagas.