Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reiterated his government’s determination regarding the ongoing eviction drives in the state. During a public meeting in Chirang in Bodoland region on Monday, he made it clear that the eviction drive will continue despite any protest or demonstration. He said that the administration is committed to clearing the illegal encroachments on Assam’s forests and government lands and there will be no compromise in this.
Minorities are not being targeted in eviction drive
The Chief Minister also made it clear that these drives are not to target any particular community, especially minorities. He said that the drives are being carried out only in those areas where there has been illegal encroachment, especially in forest land, PGR (Patihit Jan Sampati) and VGR (Vishwast Jan Sampati) areas. He said that many indigenous communities of Assam have got forest land leases, but they are not using them, due to which non-tribal people occupy, which the government cannot accept.
Chief Minister’s strong words on forest land and grazing areas dispute
Sarma highlighted the government’s priority regarding forest land as well as grazing areas. He said that no Bodo, Missing or Assamese people are going to grazing areas for land because more than half of the grazing land is available to them. But people of these communities want to settle in districts like Jorhat, Sivasagar and Golaghat, which is not fair. He raised the question that if they occupy these places then where will the other people of Assam go.
AAMSU protest and arrest of leader Rezaul Karim
However, AAMSU (All Assam Minority Students Union) protested strongly against this campaign of the government. Despite heavy rains, hundreds of people protested against the eviction in Bilasipara of Dhubri. During this, AAMSU leader Rezaul Karim was detained by the police while speaking against the attitude of the government. His supporters blocked the way of the police vehicle and intensified the protest. While going to jail, Rezaul said that he and his community will continue to raise their voice against government repression.
AAMSU submitted memorandum to Prime Minister and Union Ministers
AAMSU has also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling this eviction drive a conspiracy against minority communities. In this, they have demanded immediate stop to the eviction and called it illegal. This memorandum was submitted through the local district commissioners. The situation in Assam remains very sensitive at the moment amid political and social tension.
