Assam: Nip encroachment in the bud, CM appeals to people and organizations

CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to the people of the state, organizations and other institutions like naamghars to prevent encroachments in their areas
CM
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Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has appealed to the people of the state, organizations and other institutions like naamghars to prevent encroachments in their areas at the initial stage so as to nip the menace in its bud.

The Chief Minister said, "Information of encroachments I'm receiving from different quarters has surprised me. Encroachment is a menace much bigger than what I thought over the years. I doubt if I can put an end to this problem in the state even if I devote my entire life to it."

The Chief Minister said, "We're taking action against those who have encroached upon lands in the state. Our action against them will continue. The local people have to remain alert so as not to allow fresh encroachments in their nearby areas. I appeal to the people of the state, organizations, naamghars, xatras, etc., to prevent encroachers from erecting houses when they are one or two families so as to nip the menace in its bud. The local people shouldn't wait to allow the encroachers to grow in number."

After serving eviction notices in the Uriamghat area in the Golaghat district, truckloads of encroachers have been deserting the area on their own. "It's good to see encroachers leaving Uriamghat before our bulldozers reach there. Let it be very clear that our lands and forests are not up for grabs. We'll defend it today, tomorrow, and forever. Now the Assamese have learnt to live. Only practical steps will make the Assamese survive. We've taken some steps and will take many more in the days ahead. I need to meet my target of eviction in the shortest possible time, and that too, staying within the ambit of the laws. This eviction drive is not for a vote bank but to save our culture from the demographic design that is out to destroy it."

When asked as to how the state Forest Department allowed such a large-scale encroachment of forest lands, a retired forest official told this reporter, "Long ago, when the department started eviction drives, it had to face hurdles in the form of stay orders from courts. This was apart from political pressure from Dispur. It was the period when Dispur continued to put pressure on the department as and when it started eviction drives. Political will is the prerequisite for eviction drives that the department did not get in the past. An eviction drive is an elephantine arrangement that comprises support from the district administration, police, and funds. The lack of such arrangements in the past led to massive encroachment of forest lands in the state. Of course, lapses on the part of forest officials cannot be ruled out."

 Also read: Pijush Hazarika Points Over Renaming of Guwahati Hills to 'Kudratpur'

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