Evict settlers at Bandardubi and Deochur in KNP: HC

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 15: A division bench of the Gauhati High Court today directed Dispur to evict the people residing on either side of the tiol Highway 37 at Bandardubi and Deochur areas inside the Kaziranga tiol Park (KNP).

The High Court has issued the directive based on a PIL filed by a BJP leader, Mril Saikia. The high court has also asked the State Government to hand over the two areas to the KNP authorities, after making them free from encroachers.   

The total number of families to be evicted, if the directive of the high court is executed, is 358 - the break-up being 168 at Bandardubi and 190 at Deochur.

The two areas along the NH-37 are replete with animal corridors, and as such human habitation there is not desirable. However, there are allegations that most of the people residing in the two areas along the highway are suspected Bangladeshis.

Earlier based on the PIL, the high court had formed a committee to conduct spot visits to the ‘encroached’ areas in the KNP and submit the report. The committee visited the areas and submitted its report to the high court recently.   

Encroachment of KNP land has been a long-drawn problem that has been complicated by a number of other issues like encroachment by suspected Bangladeshis and a section of organizations, including the KMSS, vehemently opposing eviction drives there. It is a matter to be keenly watched if the intervention of the high court can solve the problem once and for all.