Dolu matter left to Deputy Commissioner: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Stalemate over Dolu land acquisition did not seem to end smoothly. The district administration along with Dolu TE estate management on Wednesday narrated the steps that ensured the interest of the tea labourers. But the words of assurance seemed to be insufficient to win the trust of the labourers. Even Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seemed to be unhappy with the way the situation was being handled. In a communication with this correspondent, Sarma said, the entire matter was left to the Deputy Commissioner. He further said, an airport was a demand from the people of Barak Valley.

Meanwhile, heavy deployment of forces as well as flag march by DIG (Southern Range) and SP for continuous two days made the labourers more suspicious as well as frightened. The situation on Tuesday evening suddenly turned out to be tensed following almost a face-off between the posse of police and the agitated labourers. Though the situation did not worsen as the force made a retreat, Cachar SP Ramandeep Kaur in clear terms said, those who would resist the process of demarcation of land for the proposed greenfield airport, would be dealt with firm hands. She however claimed that flag march was done as a confidence building measure, and not to frighten the locals.

On Wednesday, Lakhipur MLA Kausik Rai speaking to The Sentinel said, a group of ultra-left was instigating the labourers. The lefts were out to disrupt the setting up of airport in the district, he pointed out. Rai however hinted that a parley with the labourers was going on and he would personally talk to them to elaborate the various steps the present government had taken for overall development of the tea community. Dodging a direct answer to the question of police over activism, Rai however admitted that the situation in Dolu did not require so heavy deployment. Udharbond MLA Mihir Kanti Som, on the other hand, alleged that Congress was instigating the labourers.

On Wednesday, Additional Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Deka, deputy general manager of Dolu TE estate Supriyo Sikdar while briefing the media squarely blamed Asom Majuri Shramik Union for instigating the labourers. On the heavy deployment of forces, Deka said for the security of the officials, such step was taken.

Also Read:    Greenfield Airport: Public hearing at Dolu tea estate failed

Also Watch: