What zipped your lips over years? HYCPA asks Deka

GUWAHATI, Oct 30: What has made Mangaldai MP Ramen Deka zip his lip on encroachment in Kalaigaon LAC by suspected Bangladeshis over the years? This is a plain question from Hindu Yuba-chattra Parishad: Assam to the BJP MP. Addressing the media at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati the other day, Ramen Deka alleged that 90 per cent of 9,000-bigha grazing reserves in Kalaigaon LAC has been under the illegal occupation of people of suspected tiolities. The MP even said that only around 60 of the 500 families residing in the area earlier are staying there now.

A statement issued to the press on Monday by HYCPA president Balen Baishya and general secretary Dipangkar Gohain said: “Ramen Deka is an MP of Mangaldai for two consecutive terms. Kalaigaon LAC falls under Mangaldai Lok Sabha constituency. Deka says that since 1973 East Bengal origin Muslims have been encroaching upon land in the LAC. As he has been an MP since 2009 what makes him keep mum on the issue over the years. The fact remains that he’s lost people’s trust due to his inefficiency and laziness. Now he’s vocal on the issue as he has been haunted by the fear of losing Mangaldai seat in 2019 Lok Sabha poll. However, what he said is backed by statistics. When the BJP is in power at the Centre and in the State it doesn’t sound well on his part to send a letter to the Chief Minister on this issue. He’s an MP from the ruling party. He should’ve got the eviction done by now with the help of his party-led governments in the State and at the Centre. He’s just washed his hands of the issue by sending a letter to the Chief Minister like an Opposition leader.”

The HYCPA asked Deka to write a letter to the Chief Minister requesting him to evict the alleged Bangladeshi encroachers within 15 days, failing which he should quit as an MP.              

After addressing the press on the issue of encroachment by suspected Bangladeshis in his constituency Deka had to face condemtion from various quarters. BTC CEM Hagrama Mohilary is also on record denying the allegation made by the MP.