Round Table Meeting on Indigenous Land Rights Held at Naam-Phai Village, Margherita

Naam-Phai Village, Tinsukia | April 22, 2026: A round table meeting was held today among several indigenous organizations at Naam-Phai village under Margherita Sub-division of Tinsukia district to discuss the protection of land rights for indigenous Assamese communities residing in the Tirap Tribal Belt and Block.

The meeting brought together members of the Indigenous Peoples of Moung-Dun-Chun-Kham (Assam, North East India), All Man-Tai Speaking Students’ Union, Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee, and the Tirap Mouza Indigenous Tai-Ahom Land Rights Protection Committee.

The participants unanimously decided to initiate further actions to safeguard the land rights of indigenous people who have lived in the Tirap region for generations. It was proposed to urge both the State and Central Governments to officially publish the Constitutional Definition and List of Indigenous Peoples of Assam, in line with the UN Charter on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), which is endorsed by the Government of India.

The meeting resolved to undertake all forms of democratic agitation to press for the early formation of the Tirap Autonomous Zila Parishad, as demanded by the Tirap Autonomous Zila Parishad Demand Committee. They also declared that no land rights should be granted to foreigners, emphasizing that only indigenous peoples must be protected in the Tirap Tribal Belt.

The meeting was attended by key figures including: Anup Arandhara, Secretary-General, Indigenous Peoples of Moung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, North East India, Pallavi Shyam Wailung, General Secretary, Tirap Autonomous District Council Demand Committee, Hunchen (Organizing Secretary), and Jayant Pamu (General Secretary), All Man-Tai Speaking Students’ Association, Ailot Pamu, Organizing Secretary, All Man-Tai Speaking Students’ Association, Chao Chandra Kanta Konwar, President, Tirap Mouza Indigenous Tai-Ahom Land Rights Protection Committee, Chao Tukheswar Gogoi, General Secretary, Tirap , Mouza Indigenous Tai-Ahom Land Rights Protection Committee, Along with other office bearers of the respective organizations.

The session concluded with a strong collective resolve to continue their efforts through peaceful and democratic means.