GUWAHATI, June 23 (Agencies): 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 on Wednesday in Assam's main city of Guwahati. Police said the protest turned violent when people armed with sticks and stones attacked security forces and targeted public and private transport.
"Video footage of the rampage would be examined and necessary action would be taken as per law," state government spokesperson and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The government would also initiate action against errant police and civil officials for failing to control the violence. "Once the probe report is submitted (expected by Friday night), action would be taken in the next three to four days," the minister said.
More than 5,000 people, led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) -- a peasants group, staged a protest in Guwahati demanding that authorities stop an eviction drive in the city's hill areas.
The protesters, including many women and children, were demanding an end to the evictions of squatters from bamboo huts built in the hills around the city. They want the government to allow them to stay and apply for utility services like water and electricity.
"The government has decided against sitting for talks with the KMSS leaders, but would surely hold negotiations with genuine groups settled in the hill areas to sort out the problem of eviction and issuing land deeds," Sarma said.
Officials carrying out the evictions over the past 10 days have said the illegal homes are degrading the environment and contributing to flash floods and mudslides, which in recent years have killed dozens of illegal settlers.
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 on Wednesday in Assam's main city of Guwahati. Police said the protest turned violent when people armed with sticks and stones attacked security forces and targeted public and private transport.
"Video footage of the rampage would be examined and necessary action would be taken as per law," state government spokesperson and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The government would also initiate action against errant police and civil officials for failing to control the violence. "Once the probe report is submitted (expected by Friday night), action would be taken in the next three to four days," the minister said.
More than 5,000 people, led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) -- a peasants group, staged a protest in Guwahati demanding that authorities stop an eviction drive in the city's hill areas.
The protesters, including many women and children, were demanding an end to the evictions of squatters from bamboo huts built in the hills around the city. They want the government to allow them to stay and apply for utility services like water and electricity.
"The government has decided against sitting for talks with the KMSS leaders, but would surely hold negotiations with genuine groups settled in the hill areas to sort out the problem of eviction and issuing land deeds," Sarma said.
Officials carrying out the evictions over the past 10 days have said the illegal homes are degrading the environment and contributing to flash floods and mudslides, which in recent years have killed dozens of illegal settlers.
ULFA lambasts Gogoi govt over indiscriminate firing
Newmai News Network
Guwahati | June 23
The anti-talk faction of ULFA has lambasted the Tarun Gogoi government for yesterday's indiscriminate firing on the protestors by the police that had killed three persons. The people protested on Wednesday against the government eviction of their houses in Guwahati. Coming down heavily on the Tarun Gogoi led Congress government, the ULFA led by elusive Paresh Barua termed Wednesday's firing killing two protestors as "indiscriminately firing on indigenous people".
The anti-talk faction of ULFA's taunt followed the constitution of a panel to probe Wednesday’s violence that killed three persons including a minor. In an email press communique the commander-in-chief of the anti-talk group of ULFA Paresh Barua said on Thursday, “The Gogoi government fired upon people who launched a democratic movement demanding their right to land. Does the government have the guts to evict illegal Bangladeshi migrants and tea industrialists who encroached upon huge chunks of forest land?”
Officials insist that the illegal settlements in Guwahati were degrading the environment and contributing to flash floods and mudslides that in recent years claimed many lives. “IF this is so, why did the Gogoi government allot more than 600 bighas of land on the hills to industrialists?” the ULFA asked. “We appeal to the people to stand up against such terrorism by representatives of colonial India.” The committee probing Wednesday’s incident is headed by additional chief secretary Surajit Mitra. Another committee, to be headed by former minister Bhumidhar Barman, would study the cases of encroachment. The government has meanwhile decided to put on hold the eviction drive till the committee submits its report within a month.
It has also decided to form a 1000-member battalion to prevent fresh encroachment in Guwahati. Assam government spokesperson and state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The chief minister will personally look at the video footages of Wednesday’s incident."
Guwahati | June 23
The anti-talk faction of ULFA has lambasted the Tarun Gogoi government for yesterday's indiscriminate firing on the protestors by the police that had killed three persons. The people protested on Wednesday against the government eviction of their houses in Guwahati. Coming down heavily on the Tarun Gogoi led Congress government, the ULFA led by elusive Paresh Barua termed Wednesday's firing killing two protestors as "indiscriminately firing on indigenous people".
The anti-talk faction of ULFA's taunt followed the constitution of a panel to probe Wednesday’s violence that killed three persons including a minor. In an email press communique the commander-in-chief of the anti-talk group of ULFA Paresh Barua said on Thursday, “The Gogoi government fired upon people who launched a democratic movement demanding their right to land. Does the government have the guts to evict illegal Bangladeshi migrants and tea industrialists who encroached upon huge chunks of forest land?”
Officials insist that the illegal settlements in Guwahati were degrading the environment and contributing to flash floods and mudslides that in recent years claimed many lives. “IF this is so, why did the Gogoi government allot more than 600 bighas of land on the hills to industrialists?” the ULFA asked. “We appeal to the people to stand up against such terrorism by representatives of colonial India.” The committee probing Wednesday’s incident is headed by additional chief secretary Surajit Mitra. Another committee, to be headed by former minister Bhumidhar Barman, would study the cases of encroachment. The government has meanwhile decided to put on hold the eviction drive till the committee submits its report within a month.
It has also decided to form a 1000-member battalion to prevent fresh encroachment in Guwahati. Assam government spokesperson and state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The chief minister will personally look at the video footages of Wednesday’s incident."
