Assam News: The Gauhati High Court has issued a major directive to the Assam government. The court has asked the Assam government to file a response within four weeks to a petition filed regarding the death of 19-year-old Ayanal Haque. Ayanal was among hundreds of people displaced during the anti-encroachment drive in June.
Death in a makeshift camp raises serious questions. The family was among 600 homeless families.
Ayanal Haque died in a makeshift camp on August 1st. His family was among 600 families in Assam’s Goalpara district who were evicted on June 16th to clear government land. These families claim that they had been living in the Hasila Beel area for decades, but the administration evicted them after giving them only 48 hours’ notice.
Allegations in the petition: The makeshift camp lacked even human facilities.
The petitioners state that the temporary shelters where these families were housed lacked even basic amenities: clean water, proper space, and healthcare. Ayanal’s death has been described as the result of “inhumane conditions.” Her family alleged that the administration bulldozed their house without notice, forcing them to live in the open.
Notices sent to six senior officials. The court said responses are necessary.
The court has sent notices to six officials, including the state’s Chief Secretary, the Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the Principal Secretary of the Health Department, the Deputy Commissioner of Goalpara District, and the Superintendent of Police, seeking their responses. The court said that in such cases, it is essential to fix the administration’s responsibility, as it is also the government’s responsibility to provide safe alternatives for those displaced.
The victim’s side argues: Justice is needed and accountability must be established.
Advocate Junaid Khalid, representing the victim’s family, stated that Ayanal’s house was demolished on June 16 without any official notice. He said that the administration evicted the people but did not provide humane housing for them. Now, the court’s order gives hope to the affected families that they will receive justice and that the responsible officials will be held accountable.
