Government stands firm, Opposition walks out

EVICTION DRIVE

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHTI, Feb 1: The eviction drive started by the Assam government will continue and those who are illegally occupying government land must leave. This was made clear by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in the Assembly on Wednesday.

On the eviction issue on Wednesday, opposition Congress and AIUDF members sought a discussion and even sought an adjournment motion after Question Hour, but Speaker Hitendra th Goswami rejected their demand, citing rules.

In his statement, Patowary said, “The eviction drive started by the government will not be stopped. Those who are illegally occupying government land should leave the occupied lands.” 

Criticizing the State government for its recent eviction drive, opposition leader Debabrat Saikia and AIUDF MLA Hafiz Bashir Ahmed Kasimi said Indian citizens were evicted by the government in its recent eviction drives in different parts of the State. “These people were evicted without being compensated. So far in the eviction drives, not a single illegal Bangladeshi tiol has been detected. These evicted people should be given proper compensation by the government,” said both Saikia and Kasimi.

In his reply, Patowary said, “This issue can be discussed under separate rules of the Assembly. Today’s discussion will take place on the Governor’s speech only and rules don’t allow bringing any adjournment motion in the Assembly today.”

When the Speaker didn’t accept the adjournment motion, the opposition Congress and AIUDF MLAs staged a walkout. Later, Congress and AIUDF members told media persons outside the House that the State government is targeting a particular community in the me of eviction.