Free lands of locals from people of suspected tiolities, capitalists: Indigenous Muslims

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, August 22: For the indigenous people of Assam the August 14, 2016 conflict between the local residents of Hatimuria-Hiloikhunda near Mayang and erosion-affected settlers ‘is nothing if not a lesson’.  As though taking cue from the Hatimuria-Hiloikhunda incident, the Sadou Asom Goriya-Moria Desi Jatiya Parishad (SAGMDJP) has come up with certain demands that smack of their struggle to land on their feet, after being uprooted on their own land.    

At its general meeting at Hatigaon in the city last night, the Parishad raised its demand that Dispur should take immediate steps to free the lands of the indigenous people of the State that have under illegal occupation of people of suspected tiolities and capitalists in different areas in the State.

Speaking at the meeting, SAGMDJP president Hafijul Ahmed said: “Bangladeshis illegally staying in Assam and capitalists have been grabbing the lands of the locals, cunningly. The current dispensation at Dispur that came to power with the slogan of jati (tion), mati (land) and bheti (foundation) should be prompt enough to keep the lands of the indigenous people of the State intact with them, at all costs.”

Citing some examples of the lands of the indigenous people of the State encroached upon by people of suspected tiolities and capitalists, Ahmed said: “In many sar areas in Dhubri district, vast areas of lands that are under the occupation of people of suspected tiolities are still in the mes of desis (indigenous Muslims) and Koch Rajbongshis in records. Likewise, at Rupasi Mouza under Bargar Revenue Circle in Barpeta district vast areas of lands of indigenous Hindus and Muslims have been under the illegal occupation of people of suspected tiolities. Dispur should take immediate steps to free the lands from the encroachers, who are mainly people of suspected tiolities and capitalists.”

Opposing the Centre’s move to accord Indian citizenship based on religion, SAGMDJP working president Nurul Haque said: “Assam shouldn’t shoulder the burden of foreigners who’ve entered the State after March 24, 1971.”

On the August 14 incident at Hatimuria and Hiloikhunda villages near Mayong, the indigenous villagers had been bashed up by the erosion-affected settlers. Even after the intervention of the Morigaon district administration, the tension in the area is still to be eased out.