Evict encroachers from KNP: AASU

GUWAHATI, May 26 ? The All Assam Students? Union (AASU) has accused the State Government of maintaing silence on launching an eviction drive against the encroachers at the Kaziranga National Park and encroachement on land by the tea companies. In a press release, the adviser to AASU, Sri Samujjal Bhattacharyya said that despite the Supreme Court verdict, the State Government is yet to take any step in this regard. The AASU adviser also demanded initiative to evict the Bangladeshi encroachers in various parts of the State. We also want the forest cover freed from the encroachment, but at the same time steps should be initiated to evict the Bangladeshi encroachers,? he added. The AASU adviser also appealed to the State Government to rehabilitate the indigenous people evicted from various parts of the State.

Eviction decied : Meanwhile, the Dakshin- Pachim Guwahati Samaj Hitaishi Sabha (a resistered social organisation) has vehemently opposed the eviction of ?bonafide? people from the revenue village in the Fatasil Reserve Forest area. In a press release here, the Sabha said that the largely populated area, had been gradually developed by different government departments viz education, social welfare, electricity, P & T, PWD, telecommunication, PHE etc., and the Revenue Departments was in the process of issuing periodical pattas to the residents. On the otherhand, there was no sign of existence of Forest Department office on the land. Neither was there any forest beat office, signboard or any plantation over the entire area, the release added.