Assam CM Says Eviction to Continue in Sonapur’s Kosutoli Amidst Violence; DGP GP Singh Assesses Situation

Despite the violence in Kosutoli, Sonapur near Guwahati amidst the drive against illegal encroachment which left 2 dead 22 police personnel and 7 civilians injured, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the government will continue its crackdown on encroachment in lands under tribal block and belts at Kosutoli.

Chief Minister Himanta Sarma said, “The eviction will continue because it is tribal belt and block, and the government have to clear the encroachment.”

CM Sarma said, “There are two conditions for eviction in tribal belts and blocks. In the first case, eviction can be carried out in the government lands without giving notice to the encroachers, but in the case of Myadi Patta lands, the encroachers need to be issued eviction notices. So the eviction will be carried out in myadi patta lands after issuing the notice.”

Meanwhile, DGP GP Singh today visited the violence-hit site and reviewed the situation.

After assessing the situation, speaking to media DGP GP Singh stated that the land falls under the tribal belt areas as notified under the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886.

“According to the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886 certain regions were demarcated as protected tribal belts and blocks land, where only a specific class of people under the protected class can live there. However, we have observed that people living and some sections are encroaching on the lands in Kosutoli do not come under the protected class. Therefore, following the Government’s order that action should be taken against these illegal encroachers according to the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 2019, these settlers were given notice ahead of 7 days and then the eviction process was begun on September 9.”

GP Singh said till Thursday 248 bighas of land were cleared of encroachment.

At least 151 families have been evicted till yesterday. Total 300 families are to be evicted, DGP Singh said.

The DGP assured action against the perpetrators who attacked police and government officials during the eviction drive on Thursday.

Scores of illegal encroachers attacked police personnel and government officials while being armed with sticks, stones, and machetes in hand on Thursday night.

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