Selective approach in eviction drive reflects discriminatory intent of GoA: BJSM

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: Bodoland Janajati Suraksha Mancha (BJSM) on Wednesday claimed that the Government of Assam maintaininging a selective approach in eviction drives in the state targeting Muslims and indigenous tribal communities while keeping silent on the illegal settlements of people from different Indian states, reflected the discriminatory intent of the Government of Assam led by Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In a statement, the Working President of the BJSM, DD Narzary, said that the ongoing eviction drives had been being carried out across various parts of Assam by the BJP-led Government under Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma which according to him appeared to be aimed not at upholding the rule of law but at selectively harassing the Muslim and tribal communities of the state. He said that they had nothing to say against the eviction drive against illegal encroachers but that targeting its own indigenous tribal people would invite hatred towards the ruling class of people in the state. He said that the Assam Government had been consistently targeting the Muslims and tribal communities, evicting them from lands they had been settled for decades under the pretext of removing encroachments from government land. In contrast, tens of thousands of Muslim and non-Muslim settlers from states like Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, many of whom had illegally occupied government and forest lands, remained untouched, he said, adding that this selective approach clearly reflected the communal and discriminatory intent of the government, as these settlers were mostly Hindus.

Narzary said that Chief Minister Sarma often claimed that the evicted families were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, however, till date, not a single individual had been conclusively identified and deported as a Bangladeshi national. Instead, the government had to rehabilitate these evicted families elsewhere, exposing the baselessness of its claims, he added, saying that it was evident that these evictions are politically motivated and intended to polarize voters along religious lines ahead of elections.

“We want to make it clear that we are not against lawful eviction, nor do we oppose the deportation of illegal immigrants but evictions carried out without proper verification or legal process, simply based on assumptions or community profiling, are unacceptable and dangerous. Such actions threaten the long-standing communal harmony and unity of Assam, which is home to a rich diversity of languages, cultures, religions, and ethnicities,” Narzary said, adding, “It is important to remember that the Bodo people are among the earliest inhabitants of Assam and they had their own kingdom and rulers, but despite the fact, they have become the target of the ill intent of the Government of Assam.” He also said that historical evidence showed that Muslims arrived in Assam as early as 1206, long before the arrival of the Ahoms in the 13th century or the Brahmins and Kayasthas brought from Kanyakubja by Bodo Mech King Durlabh Narayan in 1350 AD and their representatives were present Assamese.

Narzary said that the Goria and Moria Muslims, who settled in Assam centuries ago, were fully assimilated into Assamese society and proudly identify as Assamese but despite repeated demands, the Assam Government had failed to take any concrete steps to remove encroachers, whether Hindu or Muslim, from the tribal belts and blocks. He added that these lands were protected under law popularly known as Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886 and amended in 1947 and reserved exclusively for tribal communities, yet over 4 lakh bighas of land in both BTR and non-BTR areas remained illegally occupied by non-protected, non-tribal individuals.

The BJSM leader said that the Gauhati High Court, in its order dated 9/12/2012(PIL No. 78/2012), had directed the government to evict all such illegal settlers from tribal belts and blocks but unfortunately, the government had shown no intent to implement this directive. He strongly demanded immediate execution of the High Court’s order and the restoration of all tribal lands to its rightful tribal owners. The rule of law must prevail equally for all communities, without bias or political manipulation, he added.

Meanwhile, in a recent press meet, the ABSU president, Dipen Boro, said they had no objection to the eviction drives against the illegal encroachers from outside but feared that the evicted individuals could enter and settle in tribal-dominated areas. He said that there had been no guarantee that the evicted illegal encroachers wouldn’t enter the open spaces in BTC districts. He urged the Government of Assam and BTC to take appropriate measures to restrict them from crossing over to BTC and at the same time he also appealed to the district administrations of BTC, conscious citizens, and civil bodies to remain vigilant so that no evicted individual entered and settled in BTC.

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