Development induced displacement and marginalization is an acute problem among the tribal people in India. The state of Assam located in the Northeast region of India demonstrates numerous instances of displacement of tribal people caused by development projects, protection of forests land, environmental conservation etc. Construction of mega dams, bridges, etc., in the recent period in Dhemaji district of Assam provides ample examples of how the Indigenous tribal people are affected. A major challenge faced by the tribal people is the alienation of land. It has altered their socio-economic conditions which in turn has led them to contest the development paradigm through claims and assertions for autonomy. Based on empirical data complimented by secondary sources the study traces the genealogy of the identity assertion for autonomy of the Mising tribe in Assam. Their demand for autonomy can be located within the development induced displacement and marginalisation among the tribal people in India at large. Largely, it examines, how the Mising tribe negotiate with the state to claim their belongingness that excludes them from the resources such as land and their rights over forests. It is conspicuous in the political spheres of the state due to rampant development projects in the contemporary period. Their marginalization has shaped their consciousness and further fuelled political aspirations within the multicultural society. Driven by the quest to protect and preserve their distinct identity Mising have demanded formation of an autonomous council under the purview of the Sixth Schedule. Attainment of such rights, they contented would provide them constitutional measures to protect their land and resources within the democratic framework of the nation-state. The paper aims to highlight how the movement of the Mising tribe reflect contentious nature of development paradigm that push the tribal people into the margins of social, cultural, economy and polity.
