India, Jan. 23 -- The Assam government has notified the inclusion of the Ahom, Chutia, Koch and Gorkha communities in the list of protected classes of persons in Lakhimpur district under the Submontene Tribal Belt.

The notification was issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department on January 21, 2026, under Section 160(2) of the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886. It extends protection to members of these communities who had settled in Lakhimpur prior to 2011. Issued in the name of the Governor of Assam, the order is currently applicable only to Lakhimpur district.

Officials said the decision was in line with the government's policy to safeguard land rights of indigenous and historically settled communities in tribal bel...