Assam: Over 500 families in Kamrup face land acquisition

A CORRESPONDENT

PALASBARI: In a move that has sparked widespread concern and protests, the Assam government is preparing to evict over 500 indigenous families from more than 411 bighas of land across three revenue villages—Garal, Mirzapur, and Azara under the Ramcharani Mouza in the Kamrup district. The land acquisition is reportedly for the development of an “aerotropolis” project of the Adani Group.

According to reports, the Kamrup Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner, Sumit Sattawan, has issued eviction notices to residents from these areas, comprising both Hindu and Muslim indigenous Assamese communities. A hearing on the matter is expected to be held soon.

The proposed land falls directly in front of the under-construction new terminal at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Borjhar. The government plans to acquire the land between Dag Nos. 960 to 1675, covering periodic patta numbers from 544 to 792, all of which are currently occupied by local residents.

 This is not the first time these villagers have faced displacement. Residents allege that since the initial construction of the airport over five decades ago, they have had to part with their land three to four times for airport expansion, often receiving only meagre compensations. They fear that if this eviction goes through, they will be permanently rendered landless. The recent issuance of notices has created a climate of anxiety and panic among the villagers.

In 2021, as part of the Government of India’s airport privatization policy, the Guwahati airport was handed over to the Adani Group for a 50-year lease. Since then, the group has been accused of pressuring the state government to acquire adjacent lands in the name of expansion.

Meanwhile, APCC’s media department chairman Bedabrata Bora condemned the move, calling it a clear example of how the indigenous population has been increasingly insecure under the BJP-led government.

 Reports also suggest that the Kamrup Metropolitan District Administration has been directed by the state government to carry out the land acquisition through the Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) and transfer it to the Adani Group.

 Also read: Assam: 10 years elapsed, Sivasagar resident yet to get land acquisition compensation

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