SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: Encroachment of government land and raising illegal constructions on it are not a new phenomenon. In some cases, it is deliberate and wilful mainly due to political back up. All Cachar-Karimganj-Hailakandi Students' Association (ACKHSA) in a repeat memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar on Monday has pointed out how some people have raised unauthorised constructions on encroached government as well as public land near link road point adjacent to Teachers' Training College along SMCH thoroughfare. The stretch of the road is earmarked for drainage cum footpath construction along the 4 lane passage currently underway.
The surprising thing is that the municipal, land revenue and land settlement wing under administrative jurisdiction have come under the pressure of extraneous influence and are ignoring the unauthorised constructions. The endemic problem has its root in the lordly indifferent attitude of successive in governments at Dispur and the administrative machinery at local level. The slow but steady encroachments, for instance, along Silchar-Hailakandi road, has narrowed it down at some points, creating bottlenecks for traffic movement.[Also Read: Assam Live News]
Apart from the encroachment, another multi storied structure opposite BSNL office near Shivalik Park at Meherpur tells the daring story of illegal construction. And the administration, civic and public, to take action has rather turned its attitude away, making a mince meat of the public issue of grave implication. Deputy Commissioners have come and gone no doubt. But, those like S Viswanathan IAS during 2016-17 and Harsha Mohan Caire IAS in mid 80's dared to remove encroachments had to leave bag and baggage. The citizens still remember them with respect.
ACKHSA urged Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli to exercise her administrative power to demolish the illegal constructions and remove those coming up. If these illegal activities are not stopped, there will be problem in expansion of road, water drainage and footpaths. Moreover, this also sends ominous signal for future. Citizens of this British made town dreaming of better civic facilities will have to grovel in the mire of endless civic problems. The memorandum was signed by advisors, Niranjan Dutta, Rupam Nandi Purkayastha and other members of ACKHSA.