Letters to the EDITOR: Encroachment of Land

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Encroachment of land

I am writing to bring to your kind attention a grave issue concerning the large-scale encroachment of government and forest lands in Amsing village, Panbari Mouza, under Sonapur Circle of the Kamrup (Metro) district. The area in question lies adjacent to the Narengi Army Camp.

On 18th April 2023, I had submitted a formal complaint to the Chief Minister's Office, which was duly acknowledged. Two grievances were subsequently registered on the Public Grievance Portal under the following reference numbers: CMASM/P/2023/0001944 (Revenue Department) and CMASM/P/2023/0001870 (Forest Department).

Regrettably, both grievances have since been closed without any action being taken on the ground. Meanwhile, the encroachment continues unchecked, and permanent (pucca) structures are now being constructed at the site. I am deeply concerned that this may be happening due to negligence or, perhaps, the complicity of certain lower-level officials in the Revenue and Forest Departments.

If this grievance is not addressed urgently, the area-like many other forested hills in Guwahati-may face irreversible ecological degradation. The encroachment not only threatens valuable government and forest lands but also poses a serious risk to the local wildlife, especially elephants, whose natural corridors pass through this region.

Through your esteemed newspaper, I humbly appeal to the Chief Minister of Assam and urge them to take decisive action to halt the ongoing encroachment and to safeguard this ecologically sensitive area from further illegal encroachment.

Diganta Barman

Amsing Jorabat

No 'bandh' culture

The recent attempts to revive the 'bandh' culture by some self-styled leaders and groups in certain districts of Upper Assam have surprised the people of the state, as we know that by paralysing the normal life of public and business establishments for certain hours, the main purpose cannot be fulfilled. It only gives mental satisfaction to certain 'bandh callers. The Sunday (25 May) editorial 'Back to bandh culture' has rightly pointed out that the All Assam Students' Union, which had already rejected this destructive and unproductive culture, did not get entangled in it. It is the common people's feeling that disputes on whatever issue there may be can only be settled amicably through peaceful discussion in a disciplined manner between two sides and not by shouting and indulging in hooliganism. When the highest court of the country pronounced 'bandh' as an unconstitutional act, how could a certain section of the community dare to resort to 'bandh' culture is beyond one's presumption. Our state had already experienced a number of 'bandhs' in the past, which only proved futile exercises. We are young, educated, empowered, forward-looking people. So, we need to discuss cool-headedly before making any decision like 'bandh' that only harms the people, and it never helps the region move forward. 'Bandh' culture is something like beating about the bush. It may be a matter of pleasure for those who talk tall but work less. In a nutshell, it is detrimental to democracy, as it infringes upon citizens' right to freedom of speech and expression. Let us prefer discussion. Sometimes, a good deal of truth comes out of it.

Iqbal Saikia,

Guwahati.

Parents are not a burden

Parents' sacrifices always remain unprecedented to the children. It is quite inevitable that children always remain their first priority regardless of their willingness. Father affords all worldly burdens to build up the children's future and to provide a comfortable and luxurious life, which is an irrefutable truth. Mother always preferably offers to her children over herself. Eventually parents do their level best to fulfil children's willingness. But despite these sacrifices, parents remain forlorn, deserted, and cut off from all expected favours. Myriad parents are surviving in orphanages while the offspring are living at home. Such a condition is deteriorating moment by moment, thinking of parents as a burden. Children must be provided first with good manners to parents and other people, for the best education is good behaviour. People are judged by behaviour, not education. Always teach morality along with good education.

Nadeem Aasim,

(nadeemturki59@gmail.com)