Assam’s tribal body backs Himanta, urges govt to be tougher on encroachment

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 13, 2024

The Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organizations of Assam (CCTOA) has expressed support for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s efforts to address encroachments on protected tribal belts and blocks across the state. The CCTOA commended Sarma for his decisive actions but emphasized that the government needs to be even tougher in dealing with encroachers.

Addressing a press conference at Guwahati Press Club on Friday, CCTOA convenor Aditya Khakhlary criticized the previous administration for its leniency and argued that the current government must take more rigorous measures to combat organized encroachments, particularly those by groups from Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Hojai, and Dhing. Khakhlary stressed that the government’s approach should be more stringent to protect tribal lands and maintain law and order effectively.

Khakhlary commended Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his efforts to evict non-tribals from protected belts and blocks in Assam, describing it as a courageous and unprecedented move. Khakhlary praised Sarma for being the only Chief Minister in recent times to take significant steps to address encroachments in these protected areas.

Khakhlary highlighted that in 2012, the Gauhati High Court had directed district commissioners to carry out evictions of encroachers from protected belts and blocks, underscoring the legal basis for such actions. He justified the recent eviction drives at locations such as Kabu Chapori (Dhemaji), Gorukhuti, Kachutoli Pathar, Sonapur Pathar, and Gumoria Pathar, affirming that these operations are legally sanctioned and necessary for the protection of tribal lands.

The CCTOA condemned the attack on police and government officials at Kachutoli on Thursday, calling for a tougher stance from the administration against encroachers. They emphasized the need for more stringent actions to address such violent incidents.

Khakhlary identified the encroachers involved in the Kachutoli Pathar, Sonapur Pathar, and Gumoria Pathar areas as organized groups who have migrated from regions such as Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, Hojai, and Dhing. He described them as organized encroachers, indicating a coordinated effort to illegally occupy tribal lands.