Govt talks tough against violent protests
From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday ordered an investigation into violent demonstrations over a government eviction drive which saw three people shot dead by police.
“We have ordered an inquiry into the mob violence and will take necessary action against those guilty or those involved in the vandalism,” Gogoi said.
Three people, including a nine-year-old child, were killed, over 50 injured, and at least 20-odd public and private vehicles were damaged after a mob went on a rampage Wednesday in Assam’s main city of Guwahati.
Meanwhile, in response to Wednesday’s street clashes, Assam government on Thursday made it clear that it was not gong to have any dialogue with those who were leading the agitation affirming making its tough posture against violence in the name of agitation.
Referring to the agitation led by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) against administration’s drive to evict illegal settlers on forest land, wetlands, hills around Guwahati city, Assam government spokesman Dr Himanta Bishwa Sharma and forest minister Rockybul Hussain said, “The state cabinet today decided that the government is not going to have discussion with any professional agitationists (KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi).
A high-level committee is being constituted with the senior most legislator from ruling Congress Dr Bhumidhar Barman as the chairman, four MLAs from greater Guwahati as members as well as three representatives from the civil society to review government’s land settlement policy in respect of those residing on hills in and around Guwahati.
“The committee will review eligibility for grant of land settlement on the basis of economic and other status of the dwellers and submit its report within 30 days and till then there will be no further eviction of illegal settlers on hills,” the government spokesman said.
The committee will talks only to respective local development committees while making the study not with leaders of the KMSS leading the agitation. The government spokesman said, “There will, however, be no compromise on evicting settlers from wetlands in and around Guwahati as these are natural water reservoir vital to the survival of the city. There is law provision to send an illegal occupant on wetlands behind the bars for three years.”
The government has also constituted an inquiry committee to be headed by additional chief secretary Surajit Mitra to inquire into Wednesday’s incident.
Government spokesman Dr Sharma said it was hardly understandable why the district civil and police administration did gave permission for holding the demonstration led by the KMSS whose leader Akhil Gogoi had earlier stated that he would convert Assam to another Libya in case Congress come back to power again.
“Everything will be found out and you will see lots and action within next few days,” he said. (With inputs from IANS)