Eviction drive continues in 6th Addition of KNP

FIR lodged against Akhil Gogoi, 2 arrested for Monday’s protest

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI-KAZIRANGA, Nov 17: Despite massive protest demonstration by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) led by Akhil Gogoi in Kaziranga on Monday, eviction drive continued in Kaziranga tiol Park’s 6th Addition Area in Biswath on Tuesday. The drive was carried out by the Biswath administration, and 4 islands of the Brahmaputra were handed over to the Forest department.

The eviction team was led by executive magistrate cum Circle Officer of Biswath Revenue Circle, Sanjiv Kumar Doloi. Additiol SP ((HQ) Samad Hussain, Assistant Commissioners Raj Bora, Ajit Kalita and Nisha Deka Jain were also part of the eviction drive. The islands which were handed over to the forest department are- Sikari Tapu, Maidan Tapu, Saibar Tapu & Polokati Tapu. The eviction drive started at 6.30 am, and went up to 4 pm. 54 Buffalo Khutis were evicted by the team. The total land area cleared on Tuesday stands at 4000 hectares.

It may be mentioned that earlier on August 11 this year, the administration cleared the 2 No Kumarakhuti Grazing and evicted 8 huts. Similarly on Nov 13 last, the administration cleared 2000 hectares of land and evicted 24 Buffalo Khutis.

Following directions from the Gauhati High Court, the government has been carrying out eviction drive in 6th Addition Area of KNP. However, due to public protest, the eviction drive is yet to begin in Bokakhat Revenue Circle.

Meanwhile, the authorities of KNP on Tuesday lodged an FIR against KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi and 29 others for the Monday’s protest demonstration. It has been learnt that 27 of them have been charged under section 341/120/121(A)/143/147/363/307/336/333/426/427 whereas three others have been charged with PPDA in addition. Two of the protestors have been arrested so far.