GUWAHATI: In Assam, the festival of Diwali took on a poignant hue as more than 200 families, displaced from Silsako Beel, marked the occasion not with festivity but with a plea for justice. APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah stood in solidarity with these families, underscoring the need for adequate compensation and swift rehabilitation. The families, removed in a series of eviction drives, staged a unique celebration, illuminating lamps as symbols of their demand for rightful compensation and the restoration of their homes.
These families, living on the land for over three decades, find themselves entangled in a dispute concerning land rights and government regulations. The stark disparity between the residents' long-standing occupancy and the denial of their land rights under the Assam Land Law of 1989 and 2019 forms the crux of their struggle. As the nation revels in Diwali's light, their symbolic "Diwali of Sorrow" served as a poignant reminder of their ongoing battle for justice.
The APCC president's presence echoed a call for continued support and an unwavering fight against injustice. Addressing the affected families, Bhupen Kumar Borah emphasized the collective support of the people of Assam, despite their inability to vocalize it openly. The event also witnessed the participation of key leaders like Gayatri Bori, advocating for the blessings of Maa Kali to guide the state's leaders toward empathy and fairness.
Prominent figures from various organizations, including Indu Bora, Bitumoni Das Begum, Nami Halder, and Momina Begum, reinforced the solidarity of the movement. Additionally, the support extended by leaders like Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti's Bidyut Saikia and Akash Doley further underlined the importance of their cause.
The Diwali celebration at Silsako Beel was not one of traditional festivity but a profound statement of resilience and collective strength. The gathering, graced by figures resonated with the unwavering determination to seek justice and reclaim their rightful place.
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