'Illegal Industry' Operating on Tribal Land Under South Kamrup Tribal Belt

GUWAHATI: AATS (All Assam Tribal Sangha) secretary general Aditya Kakhlari has said that a section of businessmen from outside the State has been violating Chapter-X of the 'Assam Land and Revenue Regulations-1886' in collusion with a section of the administration.

"This is happening despite an order has been issued in this regard by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO)," he said.

Addressing the media here on Saturday, Kakhlari added, "Three businessmen from outside the State – Surender Kumar Mittal, Madanlal Mittal and Raju Saraogi – have set up an industry – M/s Superlite AAC Blocks Industry at Daag No. 35 and Patta No. 30 covering 16 bigha and 13 lessas at viilage Sarutari under Sonapur Mouza in Sonapur Revenue Circle under South Kamrup Tribal Belt. The owner of the land is Kardom Keyapi, widow of (late) Kaniya.

"With the help of the AATS, Keyapi appealed to the Sonapur Revenue Circle, Kamrup (M) Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Minister with documents for eviction of this industry from the land.

"In its inquiry report issued on May 27, 2019, the Revenue Circle Officer mentioned that the encroachers had no legal documents.

"According to Section 160(2) of Chapter X of the 'Assam Land and Revenue Regulations-1886' the three businessmen are not permanent residents of the area. Nor do they belong to any reserved category. Hence the industry set up at the site by the trio is illegal. However, because of political nexus and intervention by an unknown power the industry hasn't been evicted.

"We did submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister on September 10, 2019 stating the entire matter. On September 17, 2019 the Chief Minister's Secretariat sent a letter to the Kamrup (M) Deputy Commissioner asking the latter to take appropriate action.

"Strangely enough, the Deputy Commissioner hasn't taken any action till date. On January 7, 2021, we submitted a memorandum to the Sonapur Revenue Circle Officer along with the CMO's letter to the DC for the eviction of the industry, but to no avail."

Citing the PIL (78/2012) filed by Pradyut Kumar Bora in the Gauhati High Court, Khakhlari said, "The High Court had asked the Deputy Commissioners to evict illegal industries in tribal belts and blocks and encroachers within a stipulated time. However, that order has not been implemented as yet."

The AATS had its executive meeting on Saturday. The meeting decided to be ready for any eventuality. "For any untoward situation, the district and the State administrations will be held responsible," he warned.

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