Assam Bulldozer Action: Leader of Opposition in Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia on Thursday (September 12, 2024) alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has violated the court order by not issuing notice to remove encroachment from government land in Sonapur of Kamrup Metropolitan District.
Congress targets bulldozer action
Leader of Opposition Saikia said both the Supreme Court and the Guwahati High Court have ordered that the government should give prior notice before taking any anti-encroachment action. “This is also necessary in case of bulldozer action on government land, but the chief minister is claiming that no such notice is required,” the Congress MLA said.
Saikia claimed that the Chief Minister is trying to mislead the people by violating the court orders and has also gone against the Constitution. He also expressed surprise at the Chief Minister’s allegation that the Congress party and I in particular are instigating the evicted people to protest against the government’s action. This is completely false.
‘No encroachment on government land’
Besides, as per information sought through RTI, the Sonapur area officer had clearly stated on August 29 that there was no encroachment on government land when the assembly was in session. “I had asked if any encroachment removal action had been taken in the area, he had replied in the negative, but suddenly I got news that evictions were going on,” Saikia said.
Violence broke out on Thursday when Kamrup Metropolitan District officials launched an encroachment removal drive in Kochutoli village under Sonapur circle. Protesters attacked with sharp weapons, sticks and stones and police opened fire in retaliation, killing two people.