Nearly all residents of two Upper Assam villages - Laika and Dodhia - comprising around 3,000 people have been pratesting in the state's Tinsukia town, next to the deputy collector's office. Protesting under the banner of Laika-Dodhia Rehabilitation Committee, the villagers are seeking rehabilitation because they say their settlements have not seen any development as they fall inside the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. The protesters holding play cards and banners hit the Tinsukia road seeking their rehabilitation. The protesters clashed with the security forces when the police prevented them with barricades from entering the DC office.  Some of the protesters broke down the barricade to enter into Tinsukia DC office.

Protesters said, “Our rehabilitation process has not started yet. For the last several days, we are protesting for the rehabilitation of 1480 families of Laika-Dodhia villages.He further added, "The people are staying at the makeshift camp near Tinsukia DC office braving the severe cold. We demand rehabilitation of our people at the earliest."

Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurin Jyoti Gogoi met protesters and assured them of all help. Takam Mising Parin Kebang (TMPK) Tinsukia assistant general secretary Ajay Doley said, “Till now the government has not done anything for the rehabilitation of the Laika-Dodhia villagers. The people are suffering in the makeshift camp for the last one month.”

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