Where locals fear to tread

A nondescript hamlet in Morigaon district of Assam, of late, seems to have taken the centrestage of attraction. But only for wrong reasons. Known as Hatimuria under Mayong block in the district, the tiny spot beside the river Brahmaputra starts teeming with some citizens whose identity is believed to have been doubtful.
 
Till the other days, the area had around 10 huts where around 100 people have been living in. But a sudden change started taking place just a couple of months back. There has been steep rise in the number of such huts in the area.

“Six or seven months back we came to spot only 10 huts. But now the small area has around 300 huts of the people whose integrity is doubtful,” said a local resident.
 
“We have only seen these huts. But we are completely unaware of the persons or organizations who have allowed these people to settle here,” rued another local resident.
 
A section of local residents also levelled an accusing finger at the district administration for silently allowing these to happen. A villager said, “I don’t believe that the district administration is unaware of these happenings. Otherwise, what forced the district administration to keep mum?”

“These people have impeded our livelihood. The government owned area was our cultivable plot. But the sudden schemes to things have forced us to stay away,” said a cultivator who spoke ill of the alleged illegal settlers.    
 
A section of local residents has not been allowing these doubtful nationals to move beyond this place near the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary. All roads leading to this area in question have been blocked by the local villagers suggesting a soon-to-be erupted group clash. Even the media crews have nort dared to approach the spot.