An instigating force behind Dhalpur fracas, says CM Himanta

The administration did tell the encroachers that it would provide six bighas of land to each landless family

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Amidst criticism from Congress and other opposition parties, the State Government and the ruling coalition said a force was behind the Thursday uprising at Dhalpur in the Darrang district.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The drive on Thursday was to evict 60 families. From where around 10,000 people got into a huddle to resist it? It indicates clearly that an instigating force was behind the scene created at Dhalpur at Sipajhar on Thursday.

"Before the eviction drive, the Darrang District Administration pacified the encroachers that the government would provide six bighas of lands to each of the genuine landless families. The administration made it clear that many of the encroachers own lands and houses elsewhere in the state. And the government will not provide them with any land. The encroachers agreed to the government's proposal. How come they swooped down on the police personnel with machetes and spears after that? "Around 3,000 families encroached upon 77,000 bighas of land in the Dhalpur area under Sipajhar Police Station. It makes it amply clear that each family has grabbed 200 bighas of land on average.

"Congress is criticizing us for carrying out the eviction drive. They come down heavily on the government even when it does not evict encroachers. The government cannot be a mute spectator when people encroach upon lands of temples and namghars right under its nose.

"Congress is criticizing the government by standing in favour of the encroachers. It is that behaviour of the party that alienated it from the Assamese society. Everything, including the force instigating the encroachers, will come to the fore during the judicial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the police firing."

Meanwhile, Congress today demonstrated in front of the Darrang DC office and submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner in protest against the police firing. The AAMSU (All Assam Minority Students' Union) called Darrang district bandh today against the firing.

Also Read: Darrang Bandh Supporters Burn Effigy Of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

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