The Indigenous World 2025: India

Written on 25 April 2025. Posted in India

In India, some 705 ethnic groups are listed as Scheduled Tribes. In central India, the Scheduled Tribes are usually referred to as Adivasis, which literally means original inhabitants, Indigenous Peoples.^[1] With an estimated population of 104 million, they comprise 8.6% of the total population. There are, however, many more ethnic groups that would qualify for Scheduled Tribe status but which are not officially recognized and, consequently, the total populations of the Scheduled Tribes are higher than the official figure.

The largest concentrations of Indigenous Peoples are found in the seven states of north-east India, and the so-called “central tribal belt” stretching from Rajasthan to West Bengal. India has several laws and constitutional provisions, such as the Fifth Schedule for central India and the Sixth Schedule for certain areas of north-east India, which recognize Indigenous Peoples’ rights to land and self-governance. The laws aimed at protecting Indigenous Peoples have numerous shortcomings and their implementation is far from satisfactory.

The Government of India has increasingly been using the term “Indigenous Populations” in official notifications such as the establishment of a High-Level Committee to look into the “social, economic, cultural and linguistic issues of the Indigenous population in the State of Tripura”^[2] or in its justification for the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019. The State government of Jharkhand declared the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, celebrated on 9 August every year worldwide, a state holiday.^[3]

This article is part of the 39^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. The photo above is of an Indigenous activist Funa-ay Claver, a Bontok Igorot, standing alongside Indigenous youth activists and others. They are protesting against the repressive laws and human rights violations suffered through the actions and projects of the Government of the Philippines and other actors against Indigenous Peoples at President Marcos Jr’s national address on 22 July 2024 in Quezon City, Philippines. The photo was taken by Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and is the cover of The Indigenous World 2025 where this article is featured. Find The Indigenous World 2025 in full here

Focus: Indigenous youths lead the fight for rights amid repression

Across India, Indigenous youths are emerging as the leading voices in the struggle to secure Indigenous rights, protect ancestral lands and resist environmentally and socially destructive projects. However, their activism has made them targets of repression.

In Arunachal Pradesh, Indigenous youths have been at the forefront of resisting large-scale hydropower projects that threaten to displace thousands of people. The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), led by Indigenous youth, has mobilized widespread opposition to the 11,000 MW Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project (USMP), which poses not only ecological risks but also the potential loss of cultural heritage for the Adi Indigenous community. On 8 July, Indigenous youth leaders Dunge Apang of the SIFF and Advocate Ebo Mili were arbitrarily detained while organizing a peaceful protest against the USMP. They were held for over 10 hours and coerced into signing bonds restricting their future protests. Mr. Ebo Mili was earlier subjected to judicial harassment for his protest against large dams in March 2022 and August 2023.^[4]

Similarly, in Assam, Indigenous youth activists who have been opposing the controversial five-star hotel project near Kaziranga National Park were targeted for their activism. In August, Indigenous youth activists Pranab Doley, Manohar Pegu and Ritupan Pegu together with other members of the Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Committee (GKLHRC) were surrounded by a mob of over 100 individuals in Rongajan village, Kaziranga while they were collecting testimonies from families who had been evicted to make way for the proposed hotel. The mob specifically targeted Doley, issuing threats against him and other members of GKLHRC. The police detained Manohar Pegu, Ritupan Pegu and others instead of protecting them.^[5] The proposed project threatens the environment, wildlife and the rights of the local communities.^[6]

In August, following the death of a tribal labourer at the Ultratech Cement factory in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, tribal youths organized protests to demand accountability and improved working conditions. Instead of addressing their concerns, over 150 tribal youths were charged with criminal cases, including under the National Security Act (NSA).^[7]

Supreme Court permits sub-quota for marginalized sub-groups among Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes

On 1 August, in a 6:1 majority ruling, the Supreme Court of India upheld the states’ authority to sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) within the reserved category. This decision overturned the 2004 EV Chinnaiah judgement, which held that SC/STs were homogeneous and could not be sub-classified. The Court ruled that sub-classification can be permitted in order to allocate quotas to more disadvantaged groups, provided it is justified by quantifiable and demonstrable data, preventing arbitrary action by states. The judgement affirmed that SCs and STs are not homogenous groups and that systemic discrimination has hindered some sub-groups from benefiting equally from reservations.^[8]

While the ruling aims to address disparities within SC/ST communities by prioritizing the most disadvantaged groups, its implementation by states, particularly in Mizoram, is raising concerns as smaller tribes like the Indigenous Chakmas, who already face systemic discrimination, are allocated significantly fewer seats for admission to higher educational institutions compared to the majority tribe, potentially exacerbating their marginalization instead of addressing it.^[9]

Parliament amends Scheduled Tribe list but many tribes, and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, remain excluded

In February, Parliament passed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2024. More than 50 communities, including seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), many phonetic variations/synonyms, and a few new communities were included on the list of STs of Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with the passing of these three bills. Due to non-inclusion on the ST list, these communities had been deprived of benefits meant for STs under the existing schemes of the Government, including reservation in services and admission to educational institutions.^[10]

However, there are several tribes, including PVTGs, who continue not to be recognized as STs. This includes six PVTGs, namely Tothi in Andhra Pradesh; Great Andamanese in Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Totos in West Bengal; Maram Naga in Manipur; Maria Gond in Maharashtra; and Hill Korbas and Abujh Maria in Madhya Pradesh. In the absence of ST certificates, the victims of atrocities are not covered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, virtually depriving them of justice, as well as other benefits.^[11]

Continued violations of the right to land and forest resources

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023,^[12] which empowers the central government to divert land without forest clearance to certain categories of forest lands and to exempt certain projects. These projects include “security-related linear projects” which can be implemented within 100 kilometres of international borders or can be up to 10 hectares in size for construction of defence-related projects, such as for camps for paramilitary forces or public utility projects in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas^[13]. Thus the mandatory requirements of forest clearance remain in force for the completion of such projects in the absence of a stay from the Supreme Court. The FCA Amendment Act, 2023 violates the forest rights of the Scheduled Tribes and the right to free, prior, and informed consent of the Gram Sabhas under Section 4(e) of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006^[14] (FRA) and Section 4 of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA).^[15] The Supreme Court of India is hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amendments and the central government has provided assurances that no “precipitative action” will be taken until guidelines are framed for an exemption from the definition of forest under the new law.^[16] The Guwahati High Court is hearing another petition^[17] challenging the constitutional validity of the Amendment Act, considering that exemption from the mandatory requirement of forest clearance for “security-related linear projects” within 100 kilometres of international borders could denude the forest in the entire North-East.

The government is not only continuing with the much-criticized Rs 72,000-crore (EUR 8,116.42 million) mega project on Great Nicobar Island but is seeking another 100 acres of biodiversity-rich forests.^[18] The project threatens the survival of two Indigenous tribes – the Shompen and Nicobarese – which are classified by the Government of India as “PVTGs”. The first phase of the International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) project is to be commissioned in 2028. Eleven players had submitted expressions of interest for the international transhipment port project at Great Nicobar Island by August 2024 and the government is finalizing the Detailed Project Report at present.^[19]

Apart from ICTP, three other components involve building an international airport, a township and a power plant over 16,610 hectares of the island.^[20] In 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) identified certain deficiencies and constituted a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to revisit the environment clearance (EC) granted to the project.^[21] However, the NGT refused to interfere with the environmental or forest clearances, saying the project was of great significance not only for economic development but also for defence and national security.^[22] The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) also intervened in the matter by directing the administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to submit facts and an action-taken report as the project is being undertaken without “prior consultation with the NCST”.^[23] The Government of India also failed to submit any information to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD Committee), which intervened via its early warning procedure.^[24] In December 2023, the CERD Committee expressed its regret at the lack of response from India and urged the Government of India “to adopt all necessary measures to address the allegations mentioned above and to protect the rights of the PVTGs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.” ^[25] On 5 January 2025, the opposition Congress termed the Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project a “recipe for ecological and humanitarian disaster”, calling for a pause to allow an independent panel to review it.^[26]

The conflict in the Hasdeo Arand forest in Chhattisgarh continued, with Indigenous communities clashing with the police on 17 October after they attempted to prevent the authorities from cutting down trees for coal mining. Two police officers, part of the security cover provided to forest officials, sustained arrow injuries, and 10 tribals were booked for attempted murder and rioting by the police.^[27] The dispute arose after tree-felling resumed near Fatehpur and Sali villages in Surguja district, part of the Parsa coal block project awarded to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) and being operated by the Adani Group.^[28]

Forests serve as the cornerstone of the livelihood and cultures of Indigenous communities. However, Indigenous communities are often penalized. On 21 February, the Odisha government ordered the withdrawal of over 48,000 petty cases against tribals registered under various provisions related to excise, forest and government land encroachment acts. Of these cases, 36,581 were registered by the excise department, 9,846 by the housing and urban development department and 1,591 by the forest and environment department. These cases included collecting minor forest produce (MFP) for household consumption and for sale at local markets.^[29]

The rights of Indigenous Peoples are often violated in the process of evictions or acquiring of lands for business and infrastructure development. On 19 June, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued an order directing the Chief Wildlife Wardens of 18 States to carry out summary involuntary relocation/forcible eviction of 89,800 tribal and forest-dwelling families from 848 villages inside the core areas of 54 tiger reserves in the country on a “priority basis”. If implemented, the current order would spark one of the largest displacements of people ever in the name of conservation. Not only does this order threaten the livelihood of one of the most marginalized groups, it also violates several legal safeguards provided to tribal communities, including the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.^[30] In October, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes sought reports on the relocation issue from the NTCA and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, following a petition from a collective of over 150 tribal rights groups and individuals demanding a rollback of the NTCA's order.^[31] The issue is under adjudication.

On 10 May, 15 tribal families were forcibly evicted by the forest department from the Pennagaram-Hogenakkal forest area in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. They had been residing in the area for decades. A large contingent of forest officials and police participated in the eviction, with women and children being dragged out without providing alternative shelter or basic amenities. Women who resisted the eviction were threatened, and at least three of them suffered injuries.^[32]

On 11 November, the District Collector of Vikarabad district, Telangana, accompanied by other officials, arrived at Lagacharla village to announce a compulsory land acquisition for a proposed Pharma project. The same evening hundreds of police personnel, allegedly accompanied by some local goons, raided the village and assaulted the protesting villagers. They did not even spare the pregnant women. The internet services and electricity supply were also allegedly shut down to ensure no communication could be made with anyone to ask for help. The police allegedly registered First Information Reports (FIRs) based on false complaints. Fearing police harassment against the villagers, including women, some of the victims left their houses and took shelter in the forest and farmland without food, medical aid or basic amenities. The Telangana government decided to set up a Pharma Village in Kodangal constituency by unilaterally acquiring 1,374 acres despite already having 16,000 acres of plush land acquired by the previous government to set up an ultra-modern Pharma City. The land, which was being forcibly acquired without any prior notice, is fertile agricultural land owned and held for generations by persons belonging to tribal and other marginalized communities. The affected families had been protesting at the land acquisition for more than 4-5 months. On 21 November, the NHRC directed the Telangana government to submit a report after 12 victims approached the Commission. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the NHRC further decided to dispatch a team to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry.^[33]

In some instances, there was official collusion around alienating the land of Indigenous communities. On 22 July, three tribal women were attacked with axes and sticks by influential persons when they protested against their attempt to take possession of their land at Shabad Thanda in Medak district, Telangana. The attack took place in front of police, who remained silent spectators, and did not register the complaint against the attackers when they approached the police. Acting on a complaint filed by the Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI), on 8 August the NHRC directed the Superintendent of Police (SP), Medak district to take appropriate action within eight weeks.^[34] In August, an elderly tribal man (65 years) was subjected to torture by a police team for refusing to vacate his land for an influential person at Burkra village in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh. On 12 September, the NHRC directed the District Magistrate (DM) and SP, Shivpuri district to take appropriate action and submit an action-taken report within eight weeks.^[35]On 19 October, tribals of ST Makvalasa village in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh were attacked by non-tribals for opposing the grabbing of their land.^[36] The tribals alleged that the non-tribals had illegally grabbed some 104.46 acres of tribal land by creating fake documents, in collusion with revenue officials.^[37] The NHRC directed the DM, Srikakulam district to take appropriate action within eight weeks.^[38] Similarly, in November, tribal people of Panasalapadu village in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh staged a protest demanding cancellation of the pattas (land deeds) issued to non-tribals on lands belonging to the tribals. They alleged that the revenue officials had colluded with real estate brokers during a re-survey.^[39] On 6 December, the NHRC directed the DM, Anakapalli district to take appropriate action within eight weeks.^[40]

There were delays in restoring alienated lands to their rightful tribal land owners. For instance, on 12 August, 30 Konddhu PVTG tribals of Ramannadorapalem Village in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh were forced to protest and seek the restoration of land pattas that were legally issued in their names between 1978 and 1988. Their names were excluded from the Record of Rights during a land re-survey. The tribals were not given their rights despite a survey conducted by the Anakapalli Tahsildar on 14 March recommending that the pattas be granted to them. On 14 August, ILAI filed a complaint with the NHRC for its intervention to expedite the restoration of land pattas to the PVTG tribals.^[41] Similarly in Odisha, 1,535 cases of alienated tribal land were pending for restoration to the original tribal landowners by the authorities, while 19,690 cases were pending in courts as of 5 December.^[42]

Violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights by security forces and armed opposition groups

With the exception of Jammu and Kashmir, armed conflicts in India are concentrated on the territories mainly inhabited by Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples were the victims of human rights violations in 2024, including death in custody and torture.

Some of the cases reported in 2024 included:

• alleged killing of a 25-year-old Indigenous man in the custody of the Excise Department in Ranchi, Jharkhand following his arrest during a raid to seize illegal liquor on 6 January;^[43]
• death of a 22-year-old Indigenous man who committed suicide unable to bear the trauma of being beaten by a policeman during a night patrol in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh on 26 January;^[44]
• torture of two Indigenous men by the Officer-In-Charge of Kharsidag Police Outpost in Ranchi district, Jharkhand after they refused to admit to a crime they had not committed on 19 June;^[45]
• torture of a 30-year-old Indigenous man by police at Chipilma Police Outpost in Sambalpur district, Odisha on suspicion of stealing a car battery on 3 July;^[46]
• death of a 25-year-old Indigenous man due to alleged torture at Myana police station in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh after he was picked up in connection with a case of theft on 14 July;^[47]
• death of a 49-year-old Indigenous woman due to alleged torture in police custody after her arrest in a suspected Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act-related case in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh on 19 July;^[48]
• beating of 10 Indigenous students by police for resisting their forcible entry without permission into KKM College in Pakur district, Jharkhand in connection with a case of abduction on the night of 26 July;^[49]
• death of a 45-year-old Indigenous man due to alleged torture during questioning in a theft case at Pandhana Police Station in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh on 23 August;^[50]
• illegal detention and torture of two Indigenous brothers, including RPF personnel trying to pull out one of the victim’s nails with pliers and pouring boiling water on his feet on suspicion of theft of railway property at Chhidagua village in Sundargarh district, Odisha on 2 October;^[51]
• death of a 34-year-old Indigenous man due to alleged torture following his arrest on charges of stealing rubber sheets at Manubazar police station in South Tripura district, Tripura on 17 October;^[52] and
• death of a 24-year-old Indigenous man who committed suicide unable to bear the repeated harassment in connection with a family dispute case by police officers of Palakurthi police station in Jangaon district, Telangana on 19 October.^[53]

A number of Indigenous Peoples in the North-Eastern region and the Naxalite-affected areas in the “tribal belt” were victims of human rights abuses in 2024, including extrajudicial killings and detention by security forces. On 16 July, three Indigenous men were killed in an alleged fake encounter by police on charges of being militants in Cachar district, Assam.^[54] On 12 November, two young Indigenous girls were arrested, allegedly for participating in a protest in Kondapalli, Bijapaur district, Chhattisgarh.^[55]

Armed opposition groups (AOGs), especially the Maoists, continued to target Indigenous Peoples during 2024 on charges of being “police informers”, in clear violation of international humanitarian law. The victims of Maoist violence included:

• a tribal youth was killed in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra on 29 March;^[56]
• a 25-year-old tribal man was abducted and killed in Kandhamal district, Odisha on 26 May;^[57]
• a tribal man was shot dead at Timdi village in Kondagaon district, Chhattisgarh on 7 June;^[58] and
• two tribal brothers were killed in Mulugu district, Telangana on 22 November.^[59]

Situation of Indigenous women

The individual and collective rights of Indigenous women and girls are regularly denied or violated in private and public spaces. Sexual violence, trafficking, killing or being branded a witch, militarization or State violence, and the impact of development-induced displacement remain major issues faced by women and girls.

In a positive development, on 19 December the Supreme Court urged the Union government to amend the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 to ensure equal inheritance rights for Scheduled Tribe women. The law currently excludes ST women from equal rights in paternal property unless specifically notified by the government. The Court reiterated a 2022 judgement that termed this exclusion “bad in law” and highlighted the constitutional guarantee of equality. The Court emphasized the need to end this discrimination, which persists even after 70 years of independence, and called for immediate legal reform to empower tribal women and promote gender justice.^[60]

The trend of sexual violence against Indigenous women and girls continued both on the part of the security forces/government officials and non-tribals. 

On 20 January, two Indigenous girls aged 12 and 14 years were abducted from Naharlagun Railway Station in Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh by four persons, including a constable of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn), and subjected to repeated gang rape at various places until their rescue on 22 January. The Arunachal Pradesh Police informed the NHRC that the accused had been arrested and charge sheets filed against them, with disciplinary action initiated against the IRBN constable.^[61] On 2 February, a 17-year-old tribal girl was raped by a forest official at a village near Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Nellore in Mysuru district, Karnataka. The accused took the victim to his friend’s house by luring her with a well-paid job. The accused was arrested and jailed.^[62] On 15 November, a 17-year-old Indigenous girl was gang raped by her school headmaster, two teachers and a forest official in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district, Chhattisgarh. They also took videos of the sexual assault and threatened that they would release the videos on social media if she disclosed the assault to anyone. The victim was again gang raped by the four on 22 November. All four accused were arrested and charged under various provisions of the law.^[63]

Some of the other reported cases of Indigenous women/girls targeted for sexual violence by non-tribals/upper castes during 2024 included the rape of at least seven tribal girl students by a non-tribal who would call them posing as a female teacher using a voice changing app and then ask them to come to a deserted place to discuss their scholarships, in Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh between January and May;^[64] the alleged rape and burning alive of an 11-year-old deaf and mute tribal girl by two upper caste men while she was playing in the field of one of the attackers in Karauli district, Rajasthan in May;^[65] the gang rape of two female Indigenous minors by non-tribals while they were returning after attending a festival in Goalpara district, Assam on 3 May;^[66] the gang rape of a 27-year-old tribal woman by eight individuals in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh on 19 August;^[67] the rape and attempted murder of a 13-year-old tribal girl by the son of a political leader at her home in Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal on 28 August;^[68] the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl by a non-tribal in Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh on 31 August;^[69] the rape of a tribal woman engaged as a domestic help by her employer after spiking her juice drinks in Ernakulam district, Kerala on 15 October;^[70] and the rape of a 50-year-old woman by three non-tribal men who lured her to a room on the pretext of offering her work in Hyderabad district, Telangana on 4 November.^[71] In the majority of these cases, those accused were arrested. However, in the case of the alleged rape and burning alive of the 11-year-old deaf and mute tribal girl by two upper caste men in Karauli district, Rajasthan, the police were accused of a shoddy investigation as the FIR mentioned no rape charges from the victim’s family and local tribals, who demanded a proper enquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation in September.^[72]

Police were also accused of inaction and attempting to protect persons accused of sexual violence against Indigenous women and girls. In February, a tribal woman from Guna district, Madhya Pradesh was compelled to upload a video on social media voicing her anguish at the repeated failure of the police to register her complaint and take action against a government teacher who had raped her multiple times over the past two years. Despite approaching the police numerous times, her pleas for justice were ignored. Only after her video went viral did the police register her complaint. However, instead of filing the case under the appropriate sections for rape, the police chose to invoke lesser charges, further undermining the gravity of her ordeal.^[73] On 24 October, a 15-year-old tribal girl was gang raped by three men in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The crime was reported to the police on the same day but the police registered the complaint only on 26 October. In addition, the police officers visited the survivor’s home and attempted to pressure her parents into downplaying the incident in an effort to protect those accused.^[74]

Situation of tribal Internally Displaced Persons in India

The Brus, also known as Reangs, who were displaced from Mizoram due to ethnic violence in 1997, continued to face problems in their resettlement areas in Tripura in 2024. The Brus were resettled in four districts of North Tripura, Dhalai, Gomati and South Tripura.^[75] On 29 November, over 100 Brus blockaded a national highway, demanding allocation of agricultural land in 13 Bru resettlement locations in Dhalai district. According to the protestors, while signing the agreement for the permanent settlement of Brus in Tripura in 2020, the government had promised agricultural land for all the families. However, only some families were given the land.^[76] The protest by the Brus effectively brought attention to their plight. On 22 December, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inspected a Bru resettlement camp during his visit to Tripura and instructed officials to promptly address the grievances and issues raised by the Brus.^[77]

The condition of the displaced Gutti Koya Indigenous people from Chhattisgarh who sought shelter in the neighbouring States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha due to the conflict between the Salwa Judum and Maoists in 2005 continued to be dismal. They live in difficult conditions, excluded from social security benefits. On 8 November, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes asked the Government of India and state governments to submit a detailed report on the status of the Gotti Koya tribals. Some 50,000 Gutti Koya tribals live in 248 settlements in the forests of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.^[78]

In a rare case of success, 156 Chakma families who were displaced by the Hollongi airport in Arunachal Pradesh stood vindicated with respect to the corruption and misappropriation of Rs 27.51 crores set aside for their rehabilitation and resettlement. These funds were misappropriated by the Chakma Rehabilitation and Resettlement Committee established by the authorities. Based on the complaint of the Chakma Displaced Family Justice Demand Committee in 2022, the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) of Arunachal Pradesh Police registered FIR No. 09/2022.^[79] After the investigation found massive corruption and criminal misappropriation, in October, the SIC filed its charge sheet under Sections 120(B)/406/409/420 of Indian Penal Code read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act before the Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act), Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh in Case No. PCA-07/2024 entitled Bijay Ranjan Chakma & 9 Others and the first hearing took place on 17 December.^[80]

India under review by the UN Human Rights Council

From 1-23 July 2024, in its 141^st session, India was under review by the Human Rights Council. Indigenous Peoples had submitted their shadow report^[81] and advocated for the inclusion of recommendations relevant to their situation. In the concluding observations from the session,^[82] at least six recommendations highly relevant to Indigenous Peoples were made by the committee. One such recommendation was to guarantee the systematic application of the participation processes necessary to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous and tribal peoples in relation to all decisions that affect them and in accordance with international standards and to ensure compliance with the agreements reached with the State and public and private companies.

NAGA HOMELAND

Even among the Naga people themselves, the notion of Naga nationhood as perceived today in the modern sense has not been around for long. Traditionally, Nagas were territorial and restricted themselves more or less to their own villages, the protection of which is their prime concern.^[83] Nagaland covers an area of 16,579 sq. kms and has a population of almost 2.2 million people (as per the 15^th Indian Census held last in 2011). Its official boundary is with the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the North, Assam to the West, Manipur to the South and Myanmar (Burma) to the East, and it is one of the least populated states in India. To this day, the Nagas are divided into Burmese Naga and Indian Naga, the result of colonial and post-colonial arrangements. This means the Nagas are Indigenous to North-Western Myanmar and the North-Eastern India.

2024 commenced with contention over the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA), decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar in order to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North-Eastern States bordering Myanmar.^[84] The Nagaland Legislative Assembly subsequently passed a unanimous decision appealing to the Government of India to reconsider its decision as this would cause inconvenience to the Naga people living on both sides of the international border.^[85] The official decision to end the FMR is yet to be notified. The FMR along the India-Myanmar border was introduced in 1970 as a bilateral arrangement between India and Myanmar and was implemented in 2018 as a part of India’s Act East Policy.^[86]

Ensuring integration of Indigenous youth and women

Indigenous youth have much to contribute to the community as empowered individuals with a deep sense of understanding of their Indigenous identity, culture, a sustainable and just society and the connection to their land and territories. However, one cannot deny the immense challenges they are confronted with as a result of the intergenerational effects of colonization and assimilation policies. Often, they are faced with hard choices such as systemic discrimination in the justice system and other institutionalized structures of governance, uncertainty over territorial boundaries, and socio-economic marginalization while also trying to maintain their roots as an Indigenous community.

The State has an instrument at their disposal with which to bolster the inclusion of Indigenous youth in the areas of decision-making and, indeed, is required to implement policies revolving around Indigenous Peoples and youth in particular.

The case of women inclusion could also be seen as an inspiration. With 523 candidates, 325 male and 198 female, after a gap of two decades, the first-ever Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)^[87] election took place in Nagaland state on 26 June 2024 with 33% of seats reserved for women. Out of 278 seats, the women won 102 seats, thus ushering in more female participation in the public space.^[88] This can be seen as a positive development building on the two women who were directly elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in 2023.^[89]

This can be seen as an initial step in Indigenous youth and women being able to fully participate in political processes, be accepted by their male counterparts and have their roles in decision-making and policy development strengthened.

Also, complementing the State, there was a show of significant progress in gender equality in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as per the reports released by the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, on 12 July 2024.^[90]

Justice and recognition

The commitment to work to provide a culturally-relevant, restorative and holistic system of justice for Indigenous Peoples came to nothing, resulted in distress following the Supreme Court of India’s decision on 17 September 2024 to terminate the criminal proceedings against 30 Indian Army personnel involved in the 4 December 2021 Oting Massacre, in clear violation of human rights and representing another step backward in the pursuit of justice and accountability.^[91] Following this, the State government filed a Writ Petition (Criminal) regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling.^[92] There are also several developing community approaches, such as various mass-based organizations and others^[93] making an exerted effort for a just decision to be made. What’s more, the inability to process the case in a timely manner means the families of the victims are left waiting with the burden of carrying the costs of the case proceedings, as well as the stigma that follows an unresolved case.

RIIN – The Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland^[94] was launched in June 2019 by the State Government with the help of a three-member committee. The implementation of the RIIN is an attempt to provide authentication of the Indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland. By 2021, however, it had been suspended following protests by the apex body of Naga Tribes and other minority tribes that it could result in the exclusion of the Naga population residing outside the State boundary, in addition to other unforeseen and dangerous implications. However, despite the suspension, following the submission of reports and recommendations from the Cabinet Sub-Committee, the State Government nevertheless decided, on 20 September 2024, to implement the RIIN in four minority tribes of the State, namely the Garo, Kachari, Kuki and Mikir, which in turn drew criticism as being discriminatory in nature thereby also violating the fundamental rights of its citizens.^[95]

With the Naga population scattered over certain areas of the State of Arunachal Pradesh in the North-Eastern part of India, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh’s decision to remove the Naga name from official usage in the districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding came as a rude shock, thereby denying the population the use of their traditional names, resulting in the matter of identity becoming a major concern.^[96] This directive was in alignment with the State’s policy to better represent the identity of the local population.

The 2023 Manipur conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo tribal community witnessed various forms of violent acts committed such as arson, vandalism, murder, plundering, rape, abduction and others. The Nagas living in the State of Manipur have been affected by the ethnic violence as it has caused displacement, the destruction of villages and properties, deaths and others. The year 2024 also continued to witness the impact of the approach implemented by both the State and the central government, such as shoot on sight, indefinite curfew and other efforts, which only resulted in the atrocities and the tension between the two communities spiralling out of control despite pleas from the community that prejudiced policies would only encourage further violence. Since the start of the conflict, nearly 226 people^[97] have been killed, dozens of women raped and thousands of people displaced^[98] internally and also outside the State.^[99] The recovery of the bodies of women and children abducted sparked further protests, with the government bearing the brunt of people’s discontent over its lackadaisical approach towards ensuring the protection of the communities involved.

In an attempt to appeal to the three communities, Kuki-Zo, Meitei and Naga, to stop the violence, the legislators from the affected communities met central government officials^[100] but nothing substantial was discussed and, without any assurance of an end to the ongoing violence, no further steps could be taken.

With pressure from the front-line mass organizations and others calling for an early conclusion to the prolonged political dialogues, the ongoing Indo-Naga Peace Process,^[101] which strives to recognize the historical and political rights of the Nagas for a self-determined future in consonance with their distinct identity, saw the resumption of peace talks in early October following the invitation from the central government to the leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).^[102]

Traditions reinforcing freedom, faith and beliefs

The Nagas have always relied on their Indigenous culture-based approach of knowing, understanding and acknowledging any cultural disruptions that may alter the community’s way of life.

With the repatriation of ancestral remains a vital act of cultural revitalization and reclamation of heritage for many Indigenous communities globally, the October 2024 repatriation of a 19^th-century “horned Naga skull”, valued at around GBP 3,500-4,500. This had originally been put up for auction by the Swan at Tetsworth, a UK-based antique and auction house, but subsequently withdrawn following adverse reactions from the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and the State.^[103] This event also marked a notable step for the FNR in its commitment to facilitating and consolidating the various human activities surrounding ancestral Naga human remains.^[104]

As a movement towards decolonization through continued practice of the traditional political system of governance, 22 November 2024 marked the beginning of a new 30-year leadership cycle for Longkhum village. This village, inhabited by the Ao tribe under the district of Mokokchung, still maintains and follows a defined political institution called the Putu Menden. This is the supreme authority in the village run on a cyclical pattern for a period of 30 years.^[105] The assertion of the practice of an Indigenous political system/structure of governance is important in order to restrain the impacts of exploitation and domination, which pose a threat to their cultural survival and to myriad knowledge systems.

Outlining inequality and exclusion, the continued demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), which has been seen as an alternative to Statehood since 2010, on 16 December 2024 the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) announced its decision to temporarily accept the FNT offer from the Government of India (GoI), with executive, financial and legislative autonomy and further tripartite talks to resume on 5 January 2025.^[106] While recognizing their broader aspirations, the State also confirmed the GoI’s decision for a temporary arrangement. The legacy of inequality and exclusion has made Indigenous Peoples more vulnerable to impacts associated with the restoration and preservation of political, social and cultural practices. Furthermore, citing the loss of cohesion, lack of development, negligence towards the Eastern part of Nagaland and their identity as Nagas, having distinct social and cultural ties to the land and its resources, it is relevant to set up a social order and social support systems that can maintain a community’s adaptive, supportive and developmental capacities to meet their actual needs through institutions that serve the interests of the community.

To conclude, by advocating for the critical role of Indigenous youth, the State can help develop durable integrated solutions for them, in particular being able to accelerate and affect youth mobility and decisions as the need for solutions becomes ever-more critical. For Indigenous communities, the matter of resources and other issues are intense and deeply entrenched. Keeping the youth within the system, while still providing a sustainable process to meet their needs is a continued challenge and the path to an agreeable transition. The events of 2024 remain fraught with confrontations.

Tejang Chakma is Head of Research at the Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI).

Kim Chishi is a member of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), based in Dimapur, Nagaland

This article is part of the 39^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. The photo above is of an Indigenous activist Funa-ay Claver, a Bontok Igorot, standing alongside Indigenous youth activists and others. They are protesting against the repressive laws and human rights violations suffered through the actions and projects of the Government of the Philippines and other actors against Indigenous Peoples at President Marcos Jr’s national address on 22 July 2024 in Quezon City, Philippines. The photo was taken by Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and is the cover of The Indigenous World 2025 where this article is featured. Find The Indigenous World 2025 in full here

Notes and references 

^[1] Since the Scheduled Tribes or “tribals” are considered India’s Indigenous Peoples, these terms are used interchangeably in this text.

^[2] Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, North East Division. 11011/53/2012-NE-V. 27 September 2018. https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/filefield_paths/HLC_Tripura.PDF

^[3] “World Indigenous People’s Day: Jharkhand CM declares public holiday, Congress plans grand celebration.” The Times of India, 9 August 2020. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/world-indigenous-peoples-day-cm-declares-public-holiday-cong-plans-grand-celebrations/articleshow/77438738.cms

^[4] “Denounce the illegal detention of Ebo Mili and Dunge Apang! Stand against mega-dams in Arunachal Pradesh and Northeast India!” iPMSDL, 23 July 2024. https://www.ipmsdl.org/statement/denounce-the-illegal-detention-of-ebo-mili-and-dunge-apang-stand-against-mega-dams-in-arunachal-pradesh-and-northeast-india/

^[5] “Manohar Pegu - Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Committee (GKLHRC).”Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, 8 August 2024. https://www.business-humanrights.org/it/latest-news/manohar-pegu-greater-kaziranga-land-and-human-rights-committee-gklhrc/

^[6] “Kaziranga's Future at Stake: The Clash Between Tourism and Conservation.” Assam Times, 4 September 2024. https://www.assamtimes.org/node/23264

^[7] “Madhya Pradesh: Sarva Adivasi Samaj Demands Probe Into Case Against 150 Tribal Youths.” The Free Press Journal, 19 August 2024. https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/madhya-pradesh-sarva-adivasi-samaj-demands-probe-into-case-against-150-tribal-youths

^[8] “SC allows states to sub-classify SCs, STs for quotas within reserved categories.” The New Indian Express, 1 August 2024. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Aug/01/sc-allows-states-to-sub-classify-scs-sts-for-quotas-within-reserved-categories

^[9] “Fate of Schedule Tribes sub-quota in Mizoram uncertain after Supreme Court ruling.” The Hindu, 7 August 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mizoram/fate-of-schedule-tribes-sub-quota-in-mizoram-uncertain-after-supreme-court-ruling/article68497085.ece

^[10] “Press Release dated 11 February 2024 issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.” https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2004918

^[11] “NHRC seeks reply from Centre on some tribal groups not included in ST List.” The New Indian Express, 13 October 2024. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Oct/13/nhrc-seeks-reply-from-centre-on-some-tribal-groups-not-included-in-st-list

^[12] The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2023/247866.pdf

^[13] The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2023/247866.pdf

^[14] The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 can be accessed at https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/8311/1/a2007-02.pdf

^[15] The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 can be accessed at https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1973/1/A1996-40.pdf

^[16] “SC refrains from staying amendments to Forest Conservation Act”, Hindustan Times, 30 November 2023. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/screfrains-from-staying-amendments-to-forest-conservation-act-101701337562226.html

^[17] PIL/60/2024 titled Sabda Ram Rabha Versus Union of India and 8 Ors.

^[18] Great Nicobar infra project a recipe for ecological disaster: Congress, The Hindu, 6 January 2025. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andaman-and-nicobar-islands/great-nicobar-infra-project-a-recipe-for-ecological-disaster-congress/article69065864.ece

^[19] Govt finalising Great Nicobar transhipment port's DPR, NGT scrutiny earlier, The Business Standard, 4 August 2024. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/govt-finalising-great-nicobar-transhipment-port-s-dpr-ngt-scrutiny-earlier-124080400130_1.html

^[20] “NGT’s Stand on Nicobar Mega Project Disappointing, Say Conservationists”, The Wire, 8 April 2023. https://thewire.in/environment/ngt-great-nicobar-project-disappointing#:~:text=Kochi%3A%20The%20National%20Green%20Tribunal,affect%20indigenous%20communities%20and%20damage

^[21] “NGT’s Stand on Nicobar Mega Project Disappointing, Say Conservationists”, The Wire, 8 April 2023. https://thewire.in/environment/ngt-great-nicobar-project-disappointing#:~:text=Kochi%3A%20The%20National%20Green%20Tribunal,affect%20indigenous%20communities%20and%20damage

^[22] “NGT’s Stand on Nicobar Mega Project Disappointing, Say Conservationists”, The Wire, 8 April 2023. https://thewire.in/environment/ngt-great-nicobar-project-disappointing#:~:text=Kochi%3A%20The%20National%20Green%20Tribunal,affect%20indigenous%20communities%20and%20damage

^[23] “Great Nicobar project: NCST launches probe into allegations of ‘adverse’ impact on local tribals”, The Print, 30 April 2023. https://theprint.in/india/great-nicobar-project-ncst-launches-probe-into-allegations-of-adverse-impact-on-local-tribals/1547332/

^[24] UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 29 April 2022. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT%2FCERD%2FALE%2FInd%2F9556&Lang=en

^[25] UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 8 December 2023. https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT%2FCERD%2FALE%2FIND%2F9937&Lang=en

^[26] Great Nicobar infra project a recipe for ecological disaster: Congress, The Hindu, 6 January 2025, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andaman-and-nicobar-islands/great-nicobar-infra-project-a-recipe-for-ecological-disaster-congress/article69065864.ece

^[27] “What is the Hasdeo Arand mining issue, and why villagers clashed with the police.” The Indian Express, 28 October 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/hasdeo-arand-mining-issue-protest-9641436/

^[28] “Chhattisgarh: Violence Erupts as Locals Prevent Tree-Felling in Hasdeo Forest, Several Injured.” The Wire, 18 October 2024. https://thewire.in/rights/chhattisgarh-violence-erupts-as-locals-prevent-tree-felling-in-hasdeo-forest-several-injured

^[29] “Odisha to withdraw 48000 minor cases against tribals.” Hindustan Times, 21 February 2024. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-to-withdraw-48000-minor-cases-against-tribals-101708528998681.html

^[30] “How the NTCA Defied the Tribal Ministry, its Own Officials to Order Massive Displacement of Tribals For 'Conservation'.” The Wire, 4 November 2024. https://thewire.in/environment/ntca-conservation-displacement-tribal-ministry/?mid_related_new

^[31] “Scheduled Tribes panel to seek report from NTCA on villages’ relocation from tiger reserves.” The Indian Express, 5 November 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/village-relocation-tiger-reserve-national-commission-scheduled-tribes-ntca-9653193/

^[32] “Eviction drive: Forest dept personnel manhandle women.” The Times of India, 11 May 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/salem/forest-department-eviction-drive-women-manhandled/articleshow/110023710.cms

^[33] “NHRC takes cognizance of Telangana's Lagacharla villagers' complaint of police harassment.” ANI, 21 November 2024. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/nhrc-takes-cognizance-of-telanganas-lagacharla-villagers-complaint-of-police-harassment20241121234705/

^[34] Complaint of ILAI dated 26 July 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.653/36/6/2024.

^[35] Complaint of ILAI dated 9 August 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.1599/12/44/2024.

^[36] “Tribals allege attack by non-tribals, lodge complaint with police.” Hans India, 21 October 2024. https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/tribals-allege-attack-by-non-tribals-lodge-complaint-with-police-915891

^[37] “Removal of encroachments in tribal lands demanded.” Hans India, 13 August 2024. https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/removal-of-encroachments-in-tribal-lands-demanded-898990

^[38] Complaint of ILAI dated 13 August 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.1327//1/20/2024.

^[39] “Tribals stage protest demanding cancellation of pattas issued to non-tribals in Panasalapadu.” The Hindu, 21 November 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/tribals-stage-protest-demanding-cancellation-of-pattas-issued-to-non-tribals-in-panasalapadu/article68890460.ece

^[40] Complaint of ILAI dated 22 November 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No. 1720/1/28/2024.

^[41] Complaint of ILAI dated 14 August 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.1272/1/28/2024.

^[42] “Nobody can encroach tribal land in Odisha, says Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari.” Odishatv.in, 5 December 2024. https://odishatv.in/news/odisha/nobody-can-encroach-tribal-land-in-odisha-says-revenue-minister-250456

^[43] Complaint filed by ILAI on 20 January 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.27/34/16/2024-PCD.

^[44] Complaint filed by ILAI on 29 January 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.201/12/35/2024-AD.

^[45] Complaint filed by ILAI on 27 June 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.836/34/16/2024.

^[46] Complaint filed by ILAI on 8 July 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.933/18/13/2024.

^[47] Complaint filed by ILAI on 16 July 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No. 1683/12/17/2024-AD.

^[48] Complaint filed by ILAI on 20 July 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.23/2/4/2024-PCD.

^[49] Complaint filed by ILAI on 29 July 224 with the NHRC registered as Case No.975/34/14/2024.

^[50] Complaint filed by ILAI on 24 August 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.1890/12/25/2024-AD.

^[51] Complaint filed by ILAI on 7 October 2024 with the NHRC registered as Diary No.16582/IN/2024.

^[52] Complaint filed by ILAI on 19 October 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.46/23/3/2024-AD.

^[53] Complaint filed by ILAI on 19 October 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.895/36/15/2024.

^[54] Complaint filed by ILAI on 19 July 2024 with the NHRC registered as Case No.170/3/2/2024-ED.

^[55] “‘Protest and you’ll be jailed’: Two tribal minor girls held in Bijapur, kin left in dark for 15 days.” Newslaundry, 30 November 2024. https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/11/30/protest-and-youll-be-jailed-two-tribal-minors-held-in-chhattisgarh-kin-left-in-dark-for-15-days

^[56] “As LS polls near, Maoists kill tribal ‘informer’ in G’chiroli.” The Times of India, 30 March 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/as-ls-polls-near-maoists-kill-tribal-informer-in-gchiroli/articleshow/108886954.cms

^[57] “Maoists abduct and kill tribal youth after rape bid on wife.” The New Indian Express, 28 May 2024. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/May/28/maoists-abduct-and-kill-tribal-youth-after-rape-bid-on-wife

^[58] “Informer shot dead by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon: Police.” Hindustan Times, 8 June 2024.https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/informer-shot-dead-by-maoists-in-chhattisgarh-s-kondagaonpolice-101717853812554.html

^[59] “Telangana: Branding as 'informers', Maoists kill two tribals.” The Times of India, 22 November 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-branding-as-informers-maoists-kill-two-tribals/articleshow/115552013.cms

^[60] “Supreme Court calls for property rights parity for tribal women.” Hindustan Times, 20 December 2024. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-calls-for-property-rights-parity-for-tribal-women-101734665720536.html

^[61] Complaint of ILAI dated 31 January 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.6/2/10/2024.

^[62] Complaint of ILAI dated 19 February 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.270/10/15/2024.

^[63] Complaint of ILAI dated 27 November 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Diary No.19672/IN/2024.

^[64] “Man posing as female teacher using voice changing app raped 7 tribal girls in Madhya Pradesh.” The Times of India, 25 May 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/man-posing-as-female-teacher-using-voice-changing-app-raped-7-tribal-girls-in-madhya-pradesh/articleshow/110413296.cms

^[65] “‘My daughter told me in gestures what happened’—mother of Rajasthan tribal girl burnt alive.” The Print, 25 May 2024. https://theprint.in/ground-reports/my-daughter-told-me-in-gestures-what-happened-mother-of-rajasthan-tribal-girl-burnt-alive/2100757/

^[66] Complaint of ILAI dated 27 August 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Diary No. 13816/IN/2024.

^[67] Complaint of ILAI dated 21 August 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No. 413/33/13/2024.

^[68] Complaint of ILAI dated 2 September 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Diary No.14188/IN/2024.

^[69] Complaint of ILAI dated 9 September 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No. 42/2/10/2024.

^[70] “Man accused of raping a tribal Odisha woman engaged as domestic help surrenders before police.” The Hindu, 9 November 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/man-accused-of-raping-tribal-odisha-woman-engaged-as-domestic-help-surrenders-before-police/article68848128.ece

^[71] “3 workers from UP rape tribal woman in Hyderabad's Madhura Nagar.” The Times of India, 6 November 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/3-workers-from-up-rape-tribal-woman-in-hyderabads-madhura-nagar/articleshow/114997382.cms

^[72] “11-year-old’s alleged rape, murder in Karauli: Congress MPs, MLAs rally behind Kirodi Lal Meena, seek CBI probe in case.” The Indian Express, 21 September 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/11-year-old-alleged-rape-murder-karauli-congress-mps-mla-rally-kirodi-lal-meena-cbi-probe-9579992/

^[73] Complaint of ILAI dated 21 February 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Case No.245/12/17/2024.

^[74] Complaint of ILAI dated 1 November 2024 filed with the NHRC registered as Diary No. 18077/IN/2024.

^[75] “Amit Shah set to visit Reang tribal camps in Tripura during NEC plenary session.” The Times of India, 18 December 2024. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/amit-shah-set-to-visit-reang-tribal-camps-in-tripura-during-nec-plenary-session/articleshow/116444961.cms?from=mdr

^[76] “Tripura: Bru community blocks Assam-Agartala highway over pending resettlement promises.” India Today NE, 29 November 2024. https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/video/tripura-bru-community-blocks-assam-agartala-highway-over-pending-resettlement-promises-1129412-2024-11-29

^[77] “Amit Shah inspects Bru package rollout; gets feedback from Brus at their village in Tripura.” The Times of India, 23 December 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amit-shah-inspects-bru-package-rollout-gets-feedback-from-brus-at-their-village-in-tripura/articleshow/116581163.cms

^[78] “Maoist violence: ST panel urges Centre, States to submit detailed report on status of Gotti Koya tribals. “The Hindu, 10 November 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maoist-violence-st-panel-urges-centre-states-to-submit-detailed-report-on-status-of-gotti-koya-tribals/article68851897.ece

^[79] Arunachal airport rehabilitation scam victims seek action over delay in submitting probe report, The Sentinel, 3 July 2024. https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/arunachal-news/arunachal-airport-rehabilitation-scam-victims-seek-action-over-delay-in-submitting-probe-report

^[80] Please see website of District and Sessions Court of Papum Pare district at https://yupia.dcourts.gov.in/ for details of State Vs Bijay Ranjan Chakma & 9 others in Case No. PCA-07/2024 for the Special Judge (PCA)

^[81] INDIA: Indigenous Peoples are Being Targeted for their Lands & Natural Resources - A Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee for its 141^st Session [01 July 2024 - 23 July 2024]. tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT%2FCCPR%2FCSS%2FIND%2F58538&Lang=en

^[82] UN Human Rights Committee. Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of India. 2 September 2024. tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR%2FC%2FIND%2FCO%2F4&Lang=en

^[83] Longkumer, Lanusashi. Self-Governance and Democracy among the Ao Naga of Nagaland. (Thailand: Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, 2024).

^[84] “Centre yet to formally scrap Free Movement Regime with Myanmar”. The Hindu, 26 December 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fmr-with-myanmar-yet-to-be-scrapped-formally-mha-tightens-regulations-for-border-population/article69026504.ece

^[85] “Nagaland Assembly adopts resolution on FMR; asks Centre to reconsider its decision”. Hindustan Times, 1 March 2024. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagaland-assembly-adopts-resolution-on-fmr-asks-centre-to-reconsider-decision-101709295851427.html

^[86] “Take categorical stance on FMR”. The Morung Express, 8 January 2024. https://morungexpress.com/take-categorical-stance-on-fmr

^[87] Urban Local Bodies form the urban local self-governance in India, administering or governing a town or a city with a specified population. The 74^th Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 mandated all State Governments in India to reserve not less than one-third of the total number of seats in ULBs for women.

^[88] Jamir, Moa. “Insights for Course Correction”. The Morung Express, 1 July 2024. https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-ulb-elections-insights-for-course-correction

^[89] Dhar, Aniruddha. “Nagaland scripts history in assembly election, elects 2 women candidates for first time”. Hindustan Times, 2 March 2023. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nagaland-scripts-history-in-assembly-poll-elects-2-women-mlas-salhoutuonuo-kruse-hekani-jakhalu-for-first-time-101677742088284.html

^[90] Jamir, Moa. “SDG Index: Nagaland tops in Gender Equality, but falters in key parameters”. The Morung Express, 15 July 2024. https://morungexpress.com/sdg-index-nagaland-tops-in-gender-equality-but-falters-in-key-parameters

^[91] “Nagaland civilian killings: MoD denies sanction to prosecute 30 Army men”. The Indian Express, 14 April 2024.

https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/nagaland-civilian-killings-mod-denies-sanction-to-prosecute-30-armymen-8555344/

^[92] “Oting Killings: SC likely to hear Nagaland Govt’s petition on Jan 21’. The Morung Express, 6 January 2025.

https://morungexpress.com/oting-killings-sc-likely-to-hear-nagaland-govts-petition-on-jan-21

^[93] “Oting killings: NSCN-IM, Naga students miffed as SC dismisses criminal proceedings as Army personnel’’. The New Indian Express, 21 September 2024. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Sep/20/oting-killings-nscn-im-naga-students-miffed-as-sc-dismisses-criminal-proceedings-against-army-personnel

^[94] “RIIN: A critique with ideas”. Nagaland Post, 11 October 2024.

https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2024/10/11/riin-a-critique-with-ideas/

^[95] “Nagaland Cabinet approves key decisions on ILP and RIIN”. Nagaland Post, 20 September 2024.

https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2024/09/20/nagaland-state-cabinet-approves-key-decisions-on-ilp-and-riin/

^[96] David Lowang, President, WNSU Nocte Tribe, Arunachal Pradesh. “Identity under siege”. The Morung Express, 9 October 2024. https://morungexpress.com/identity-under-siege-who-gets-to-decide-who-is-naga

^[97] “Manipur unrest has killed 226 people, over 59,000 homeless: CM Biren Singh”. India Today, 1 August 2024.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/manipur-unrest-killed-homeless-people-in-relief-camps-chief-minister-biren-singh-meitei-community-kuki-zomi-community-2575031-2024-08-01

^[98] “Manipur: Jiribam has 943 IDPs in Relief Camps; Cabinet Committee for resettlement proposed”. The Wire, 14 June 2024. https://m.thewire.in/article/government/manipur-jiribam-943-idps-cabinet-subcommittee-resettlement/amp

^[99] “Mizoram plans relocation of refugees & internally displaced people”. The Times of India, 29 November 2024.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/mizorams-plan-for-refugee-and-internally-displaced-person-relocation/articleshow/115812364.cms

^[100] “Meitei, Kuki, Naga MLAs meet in Delhi to resolve Manipur crisis”. NDTV, 16 October 2024.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meitei-kuki-naga-mlas-meet-in-delhi-to-solve-manipur-crisis-6797917

^[101] Yepthomi, Hukavi, Kilonser, NSCN GPRN. “Indo Naga Peace Process”. The Morung Express, 27 April 2017.

https://morungexpress.com/indo-naga-peace-process

^[102] “Naga Peace Process Faces impasse as NSCN (I-M) threatens to resume ‘armed resistance against India”. Frontline Magazine, 15 November 2024. https://frontline.thehindu.com/news/naga-peace-process-goi-accords-nscnim-nagaland-rebels-thuingaleng-muivah-nnpg/article68872294.ece

^[103] “UK auction house withdraws ‘Naga Skull’ sale after Nagaland’s protest”. NDTV, 10 October 2024.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uk-auction-house-withdraws-naga-skull-sale-after-nagalands-protest-6756419

^[104] Recover Restore and Decolonise website: https://rradnagaland.org/

^[105] “Longkhum village witnesses historic leadership transition ceremony”. The Nagaland Tribune, 23 November 2024. https://nagalandtribune.in/longkhum-village-witnesses-historic-leadership-transition-ceremony/

^[106] “Nagaland sends comments on proposed FNT to MHA”. The Times of India, 9 November 2024.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/nagaland-submits-comments-on-frontier-nagaland-territory-draft-to-mha/articleshow/115118043.cms

Tags: Land rights, Women, Youth, Indigenous Peoples Rights