Brahma committee urged to protect land rights of indigenous people

Veteran social activist as well as Chairman of the Guwahati Municipal Development Authority(GMDA) has submitted a memorandum to the Hari Shankar Brahma committee recently demanding  protection of the indigenous people’s land rights reside in greater Guwahati area. The state government has constituted the Brahma committee to look into the problems of settlement of land in the hilly and other areas of Guwahati Metropolitan District. In his memorandum Baruah pointed out that a huge tract of land in and around the city has been occupied or grabbed by some outsiders both legally and illegally. He resented that some land mafia, colluding with influential politicians, could easily grabbed land in the city.

 Baruah informed the committee that the encroaching upon wetlands in and around the city is another serious concern for its dwellers. Pointing out that the fact that government in different course of time also allotted lands of the city’s wetlands to different individuals as well as industrial establishments he said,’ we have seen clear violation of Environmental and other laws by our governments in different time. The present pathetic situation of Solabeel, Silsakobeel, Deepor beel, Bondajan reflects this as these wetland are being destroyed.’ The social activist urged the Committee to take step for protection of the wetlands in and around Guwahati. 

He also informed the committee that the Save Guwahati Build Guwahati, an NGO, since its inception stands for the cause of the city. It has been raising demands for the protection of the indigenous people’s rights of the city as well as the Natural resources.