Development and displacement: People’s narratives in Dhemaji district of Assam, India

Abstract

Displacement from the native land among the tribal people has become quite critical in India. While the process began during the colonial era, during the post-independence period, the tribal land has been taken over in the name of development projects, protection of forest land, and environmental conservation. There is no exception to the tribal communities of Assam. The construction of Bogibeel Bridge over the River Brahmaputra linking Dhemaji and Dibrugarh districts in Upper Assam, has caused the acquisition of vast areas of land in the area, belonging mostly to the Mising tribe for whom land is the only source of livelihood. Their troubles are compounded by their primitive mode of agriculture. Though there are provisions for compensation, most of the people do not possess proper land documents (patta), and hence they become unable to take the compensations offered. Even those who have received some cash compensation, it has not been very helpful as they are not adapted to alternative modes of livelihood.