" Protests Erupt in Karbi Anglong Against Acquisition of 18,000 Bighas of Land", 7 March 2025

The proposed acquisition of 18,000 bighas of land in Karbi Anglong district’s Khatkhati-Longkathar area for a 1,000-megawatt solar power project has sparked widespread fear and protests among the local tribal communities. The central and state governments are pushing forward with the project, which threatens to displace thousands of indigenous people, including Karbi, Naga, and Adivasi communities, who have been living and cultivating the land for generations

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The government’s move to acquire this land for the solar project would not only displace families but also destroy their primary source of income.

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The committees alleged that the government is prioritizing the interests of big corporate houses like Adani and Ambani over the welfare of the state’s working-class population. They highlighted that the proposed project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, violates the provisions of the Sixth Schedule, which safeguards the rights of tribal communities in the region.

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The project, which has already been approved by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, would displace nearly 20,000 people from 23 villages. The committees criticized the government for moving forward with the acquisition without conducting proper environmental impact assessments or obtaining clearance from the National Wildlife Board.