Cultivators’ organisation accuses Assam government of trying to take over grazing land for corporate interests

Farmers in Golaghat district, eastern Assam, have protested the state government's alleged plans to convert grazing land for oil palm plantations. The Jeepal Krishak Sramik Sangha, located in Bokakhat near Kaziranga National Park, criticized Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika for endangering the livelihoods of riverbank communities, allegedly for corporate gain.

The organization alleged that the state government is targeting large areas of riverine land in Bokuli Sapori under the Bokakhat Assembly constituency. Asom Gana Parishad president Atul Bora, who represents the constituency as Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, also represents the area. According to the group, locals have traditionally used the land for grazing cows and buffaloes.

However, the Agriculture Department reportedly switched plans from rabi crops, such as black gram, mustard, and sesame, to oil palm saplings without notifying the community. Without prior consent, officials formed an agricultural cooperative involving individuals with no historical connection to the land and conducted an oil palm sapling-planting program on August 25, 2026.

The leader of the Jeepal Krishak Sramik Sangha, Soneswar Narah, stated that the project was framed as a rabi crop initiative, but oil palm saplings were planted instead. He emphasized that the Mising community's indigenous land should not be handed over for commercial purposes without a thorough environmental and socio-economic assessment.

The grazing land in question is located near Inglay Pathar, formerly a paddy field area near Kaziranga where Adivasi farmers were displaced for a luxury hotel project. The local administration asserts that the land belongs to the government.